| Abstract Scope |
Hydrogen-based ironmaking presents a promising pathway for substantial CO2 emission reduction compared to conventional blast-furnace processes. While H2-based direct reduction routes benefit from fast kinetics, they exhibit incomplete metallization due to sluggish diffusion through the produced iron layer. In this work, we investigate laser-assisted hematite reduction, which enables efficient energy deposition and rapid heating rates. We observe unexpectedly enhanced iron formation at low laser intensities, exhibiting non-Arrhenius kinetic behavior. Using full-field in-situ X-ray diffraction, we quantify phase evolution of the bulk sample during H2 reduction. Our results reveal novel reduction mechanisms driven by light absorption, opening new opportunities for sustainable ironmaking technologies. |