Sustainable, facile separation of the molten carbonate electrolysis cathode product

Abstract

A process for the separation of electrolyte from the carbon in a solid carbon/electrolyte cathode product formed at the cathode during molten carbonate electrolysis. The processes allows for easy separation of the solid carbon product from the electrolyte without any observed detrimental effect on the structure and/or stability of the resulting solid carbon nanomaterial.

1 - 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A product comprising: an aerogel having a majority of molten carbonate with an intermingled solid matrix component. 
     
     
         36 . The product of  claim 35 , wherein the aerogel comprises a carbanogel. 
     
     
         37 . A process for preparing a carbanogel on a cathode, comprising: electrolyzing a molten carbonate electrolyte by applying a current between the cathode and an anode immersed in the electrolyte.