Electrochemical deposition of carbon in LiCl-NaCl-Na2CO3 melts

Carbon deposition on a W cathode during the electrolysis was performed in molten LiCl-NaCl-Na2CO3 under CO2 atmosphere. The electrochemical process was investigated by cyclic voltammetry on the glass carbon electrode. The minimum energy consumption is 20.1 kWh for 1 kg of carbon. Constant voltage electrolysis combined with a real-time resolution mass spectrum demonstrated the absence of the formation of carbon monoxide even at 800 degrees C. The carbon products deposited at different electrolysis conditions were composed of amorphous carbon and mainly comprised of quasi-spherical carbon particles accompanied by small amounts of wire-like carbon. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.