# STEP: Efficient Carbon Capture and Solar Thermal Electrochemical Production of ammonia, fuels, cement, carbon nanotubes, metals and bleach

**Authors:** Stuart Licht  
**arXiv:** [1901.07134](https://arxiv.org/abs/1901.07134)  
**Date:** 2019-01-22  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/paper/1901.07134v1/

## Key points

- The Solar Thermal Electrochemical Production (STEP) process converts solar energy into useful chemicals instead of electricity
- STEP utilizes semiconductors, solar energy, and electrochemistry to generate valuable substances
- STEP is more efficient than traditional photovoltaic or photoelectrochemical solar energy conversion methods
- The process involves the formation of metals, fuels, chlorine, and carbon capture through solar thermal heated electrolysis at lower voltages
- CO2 can be reduced to fuels or storable carbon with a solar efficiency over 50%
- CO2 can also be transformed into carbon nanotubes (C2CNT)
- New research on CO2-free STEP ammonia, iron, cement production, and water splitting for hydrogen production are discussed
- The study presents a pathway for reducing atmospheric CO2 levels using STEP technology within 10 years

## Summary

, , , , : The Solar Thermal Electrochemical Production (STEP) process is an innovative method of converting solar energy into useful chemicals instead of electricity. It utilizes semiconductors, solar energy, and electrochemistry to generate a wide range of valuable substances. STEP employs both subgap and super bandgap insolation to generate heat and electrons respectively, making it more efficient than traditional photovoltaic or photoelectrochemical solar energy conversion methods. The theory behind STEP has been derived and experimentally verified for the electrosynthesis of energetic molecules with high solar energy efficiency. The process involves the efficient formation of metals, fuels, chlorine, and carbon capture through solar thermal heated electrolysis at voltages lower than the room temperature energy stored in the resulting products. One notable example is the reduction of CO2 to either fuels or storable carbon, achieving a solar efficiency over 50%. This impressive efficiency is achieved through a synergy of efficient solar thermal absorption and electrochemical conversion at high temperatures and reactant concentrations. Additionally, CO2 can be efficiently transformed into carbon nanotubes (C2CNT), with or without the use of solar energy. New research on CO2-free STEP ammonia, iron, cement production as well as water splitting to produce hydrogen through molten electrolysis are also discussed. The study presents a pathway for reducing atmospheric CO2 levels to pre-industrial levels within 10 years using STEP technology. Overall, this comprehensive study by Stuart Licht highlights the potential of STEP as an efficient and sustainable method for carbon capture and various chemical productions using solar thermal electrochemistry.