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 °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.