About this Abstract | 
  
   
    | Meeting | 
    2021 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
       | 
  
   
    | Symposium 
       | 
    High Temperature Electrochemistry IV
       | 
  
   
    | Presentation Title | 
    Optimizing Reaction Selectivity in High Temperature Molten Electrolytes | 
  
   
    | Author(s) | 
    Mary Elizabeth  Wagner, Antoine  Allanore | 
  
   
    | On-Site Speaker (Planned) | 
    Mary Elizabeth  Wagner | 
  
   
    | Abstract Scope | 
    
Achievement of a high-purity metal product during electrolysis is a challenge faced by both primary processing and recycling industries. Determination of what species will be reduced at the cathode is often limited to standard-state thermodynamics and trial-and-error experimentation. This approach hinders development of new electrolytes by requiring large amounts of data to be gathered before practicality can be determined. However, in high-temperature processes where both the metal product and the electrolyte are molten, the thermodynamic behavior of the electrolytic cell as well as the liquid-liquid equilibria established will heavily influence which metal is reduced and if any co-deposition will occur. By modeling this equilibrium, novel electrolytes can be screened for feasibility. Furthermore, knowledge of the cathode-electrolyte equilibrium can be used to optimize cell performance by tailoring the use of additives and supporting electrolytes. | 
  
   
    | Proceedings Inclusion? | 
    Planned:  | 
  
 
    | Keywords | 
    Electrometallurgy, High-Temperature Materials, Extraction and Processing |