This is just going to be a little note on a new finding. One of the problems with developing a circular economy, or trying to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, is what to do with the carbon dioxide that is present in the atmosphere, and that is emitted by many chemical reactions, including reactions with biofuels.
This new process requires metals. But it is a more efficient process for creating the carbon nanotubes, using less energy. It also allows the nanotubes to have greater electrical conductivity. Carbon nanotubes have a variety of unusual applications, including radiation shields and cooling electronic devices.
The research is discussed by Emily Cuffin-Munday in "Carbon nanotubes made from waste carbon dioxide produce surprising plasma when microwaved", in Chemistry World, atÂ
The original article is by Gad Licht, Kyle Hofstetter and Stuart Licht, in the Journal Nanoscale (of the Royal Society of Chemistry) - "Intense, self-induced sustainable microwave plasma using carbon nanotubes made from CO2", at