With a SnO2 inert anode, amorphous carbon powders were successfully deposited on a nickel cathode by electrochemical conversion of CO2 in Li2CO3-Na2CO3-K2CO3 eutectic melt in the temperature range of 450 degrees C to 650 degrees C and under the electrolysis voltages of 3.0 V to 6.0 V. The effects of electrolysis temperature and cell voltage on the morphology and structure of the produced carbon, and on the energy consumption of the process were systematically investigated. The morphologies and particle size of the carbon products were proven to be affected by the electrolysis cell voltage and temperature. As the electrolysis condition varied, the deposited carbon exhibited different forms, including nanoparticle, nanoflake, nanosheet and heart-shape nanostructured cage, etc. The particle sizes of the obtained carbon ranged from ay. 2 mu m to 50 nm, and smaller particles were obtained at higher cell voltage and lower electrolysis temperature. The carbon product obtained at 450 degrees C under 5.5 V exhibited the highest BET surface area of 868.3 m(2) g(-1). FTIR analysis demonstrated that oxygen-containing functional groups presented on the surface of the carbon product, which was most likely due to the active dangling bond on the carbon materials. The optimized energy consumption for producing 1 kg of carbon is as low as 35.59 kWh with a current efficiency of 87.86% at 450 degrees C under a constant cell voltage of 3.5 V. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.