Coal‐Based Carbon Nanomaterials: En Route to Clean Coal Conversion toward Net Zero CO₂

Abstract

As the world is committed to reach carbon peak by 2030 and net zero by 2050, the use of coal as an energy source is facing unprecedented challenges. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global annual coal demand is estimated to drop from more than 5640 million tonnes of coal equivalent (Mtce) in 2021 to 540 Mtce in 2050 under the net zero emission scenario, mostly being replaced by renewable energy such as solar and wind. Therefore, the coal industry is vigorously seeking alternative applications to keep it thriving, and nanotechnology can be one of the contributors. Herein, the challenges to coal-based carbon nanomaterials syntheses are outlined, along with a path toward commercialization. Coal-based carbon nanomaterials can be promising contributors to the concept of clean coal conversion, initiating its migration from an energy source to a high-value-added carbon source.

Coal Chemistry Industry: From Production of Liquid Fuels to Fine Chemicals to Carbon Materials

“…Coal is characterized by a low cost and high carbon yield, considered as a promising high-value-added carbon material. , From the molecular level, the core structure of coal is polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The controllable synthesis of zero-, one-, two-, and three-dimensional coal-based functional carbon materials can be achieved through the physical external field (microwave, plasma, etc.)…”

“…The controllable synthesis of zero-, one-, two-, and three-dimensional coal-based functional carbon materials can be achieved through the physical external field (microwave, plasma, etc.) through molecular chemical tailoring, hybrid modification, interface assembly, and other technical methods . These carbon nanomaterials have been used in solar cells, supercapacitors, secondary batteries, and catalyst supports (Figure a).…”

“…through molecular chemical tailoring, hybrid modification, interface assembly, and other technical methods. 70 These carbon nanomaterials have been used in solar cells, supercapacitors, secondary batteries, and catalyst supports (Figure 3a). Table 2 provides an overview of the production of high-value carbon materials using various strategies, starting from different types of coal and conventional byproducts of coal chemicals.…”

“…As one of the solid combustible minerals, coal is gradually formed after complex biochemical and physicochemical evolutions in ancient plants buried underground. , The unit chemical core structure of coal is polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons connected by bridging bonds, such as aliphatic chains or ether bonds, and more than 95% of the organic components are chemical compounds of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen . Coal is one of the most abundant and economically used energy resources in the world, and nearly 80 countries flow with coal minerals. , As reported by the International Energy Agency (IEA) in 2021, the global coal reserves reached 1075 billion tonnes . The top five countries in the world’s coal reserves are the United States (accounting for 23.2% of global resources), Russia (accounting for 15.1%), Australia (accounting for 14%), China (accounting for 13.3%), and India (accounting for 10.3%), and the sum of the above five countries accounted for 76% of the total global reserves .…”

“…2,5 As reported by the International Energy Agency (IEA) in 2021, the global coal reserves reached 1075 billion tonnes. 6 The top five countries in the world's coal reserves are the United States (accounting for 23.2% of global resources), Russia (accounting for 15.1%), Australia (accounting for 14%), China (accounting for 13.3%), and India (accounting for 10.3%), and the sum of the above five countries accounted for 76% of the total global reserves. 7 In China, coal resources are mainly concentrated in Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Xinjiang, Guizhou, Ningxia, and other provinces.…”