Novel Molten-salt Electrolysis Processes towards Low-carbon Metallurgy

Authors

Wei XIAO
Hua ZHU
Hua-Yi YIN
De-Hua WANG

Corresponding Author

De-Hua WANG

Abstract

This review focuses on recent developments in molten-salt electrolytic metallurgical processes with respect to 1) high-efficiency metallurgical technologies via electrolytic reduction of solid oxides in molten chlorides and 2) zero-carbon-footprint electrochemical splitting metallurgical technologies. Initiating with an introduction on dynamic solid/solid/liquid three-phrase interlines electrochemistry for electrochemical reduction of solid cathode, the former aspect is discussed in terms of facilitating mass transfer throughout solid cathode, one-step production of functional alloy powders with the assistance of under-potential electroreduction of active metals and near-net-shape production of metal/alloy components. Whilst the latter is summarized by introducing some zero-carbon molten-salt electrolytic technologies including electro-splitting of solid sulfides in molten chlorides, electrometallurgical technology in molten carbonates and molten oxide electrolysis. With an attempt to demonstrate the proof-of-concept, the merits of molten-salt electrolytic technologies on environmental viability, energy-profitability and resource-utilization are also justified and highlighted, which, as hope, could form a basis for developing novel electrolytic processes for clean, energy-efficient and affordable metallurgy of materials.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords

molten salts, electrochemistry, metallurgy, less carbon footprint

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.61558/2993-074X.2903

Publication Date

2012-06-28

Online Available Date

2012-01-10

Revised Date

2012-01-05

Received Date

2011-12-15

Recommended Citation

Wei XIAO, Hua ZHU, Hua-Yi YIN, De-Hua WANG. Novel Molten-salt Electrolysis Processes towards Low-carbon Metallurgy[J]. Journal of Electrochemistry, 2012 , 18(3): Article 1.
DOI: 10.61558/2993-074X.2903
Available at: https://jelectrochem.xmu.edu.cn/journal/vol18/iss3/1

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