About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2027 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Materials and Chemistry for Molten Salt Systems
|
| Presentation Title |
Electrochemical reduction of iron oxides in molten LiCl–Li2O at 650 °C |
| Author(s) |
Peyman Asghari-Rad, Arezo Mahdavi Varposhti, Md Ikram Khan, Mir Rafsan, Hojong Kim |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Peyman Asghari-Rad |
| Abstract Scope |
Molten-salt electrolysis provides a carbon-free route for iron production by coupling Fe-oxide reduction with oxygen evolution at a stable anode. In this study, Fe-oxide electroreduction was investigated in LiCl–Li2O molten salt at 650 °C using a Ru anode in a three-electrode configuration, enabling independent monitoring of anode and cathode polarization. Prior to electrolysis, Fe2O3 cathodes were evaluated under thermal exposure and molten-salt immersion; while stable in Ar gas atmosphere, Fe2O3 transformed into a spinel-type Fe oxide upon contact with the electrolyte. Rate-capability testing demonstrated that the cathode could sustain current densities up to 1.0 A/cm2. Galvanostatic electrolysis achieved complete metallization to metallic Fe with high Faradaic efficiencies of 95–96%, confirmed by SEM and XRD. Partial-metallization experiments revealed progressive formation of metallic Fe accompanied by wüstite-type Fe1-xO, suggesting a stepwise oxide-to-metal reduction pathway. These results highlight molten-salt electrolysis as a promising route for sustainable ironmaking. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Electrometallurgy, Iron and Steel, Characterization |