The nexus of materials, energy, and carbon dioxide—and how collaboration between academia, industry, and philanthropic foundations is impacting it
ORAL · Invited
Abstract
Achieving a sustainable economy requires a materials transition. Metals are problematic, because they are mined in fragile ecosystems as low-concentration oxides; their conversion is energy-intensive and generates CO2. Metals are inefficient because of their high density; moreover, their supply chains are vulnerable. Can we develop more sustainable, secure materials whose production requires less energy, does not generate CO2, and perform the same functions as metals and other CO2-intensive materials?
Small-diameter carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are the likely solution. These CNTs are essentially conducting polymers with very high chemical and mechanical stability; they can be synthesized from hydrocarbons, with co-production of hydrogen. They can be solution-processed into macroscale CNT materials whose properties overlap industrial metals. To displace CO2-intensive materials at scale, CNT materials must be made efficiently—like polymers did in the 1950s. We are tackling this problem via a coalition of academia, industry, and foundations organized around the Carbon Hub.
Soft Matter Physics has been crucial for understanding CNT solution behavior and processing. Individual CNTs in liquids behave as stiff Brownian filaments, with diameter-dependent persistence length. At high concentration, they form nematic liquid crystals and can be spun into continuous fibers. On the synthesis side, catalysis and reaction chemistry were the initial focus of the field; transport in reactors must now be understood. I will explain how high-throughput CNT flow synthesis requires synchronizing catalyst formation and hydrocarbon decomposition. Via in-situ measurements and multiscale modeling, CNT reactors are being rationalized.
Interesting questions arise at the interface of soft matter physics and reaction engineering: CNTs form aerogels during growth. These aerogels are essentially suspensions of stiff, growing rods in a high-temperature gas. Understanding the formation and properties of these aerogels (a gas rheology problem?) is the likely route to synthesis efficiencies.
The prize for solving these problems? A future where we can make materials sustainably from carbon sources and use them to decarbonize industry, revitalize manufacturing, electrify energy systems, and rebuild infrastructures.
Small-diameter carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are the likely solution. These CNTs are essentially conducting polymers with very high chemical and mechanical stability; they can be synthesized from hydrocarbons, with co-production of hydrogen. They can be solution-processed into macroscale CNT materials whose properties overlap industrial metals. To displace CO2-intensive materials at scale, CNT materials must be made efficiently—like polymers did in the 1950s. We are tackling this problem via a coalition of academia, industry, and foundations organized around the Carbon Hub.
Soft Matter Physics has been crucial for understanding CNT solution behavior and processing. Individual CNTs in liquids behave as stiff Brownian filaments, with diameter-dependent persistence length. At high concentration, they form nematic liquid crystals and can be spun into continuous fibers. On the synthesis side, catalysis and reaction chemistry were the initial focus of the field; transport in reactors must now be understood. I will explain how high-throughput CNT flow synthesis requires synchronizing catalyst formation and hydrocarbon decomposition. Via in-situ measurements and multiscale modeling, CNT reactors are being rationalized.
Interesting questions arise at the interface of soft matter physics and reaction engineering: CNTs form aerogels during growth. These aerogels are essentially suspensions of stiff, growing rods in a high-temperature gas. Understanding the formation and properties of these aerogels (a gas rheology problem?) is the likely route to synthesis efficiencies.
The prize for solving these problems? A future where we can make materials sustainably from carbon sources and use them to decarbonize industry, revitalize manufacturing, electrify energy systems, and rebuild infrastructures.
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Presenters
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Matteo Pasquali
- Rice University