The electrochemical generation of useful chemical species from lunar materials

✍ Scribed by Kan J. Tsai; Daniel J. Kuchynka; Anthony F. Sammells

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1990
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 672 KB
• Volume: 29
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0378-7753
• DOI: 10.1016/0378-7753(90)85007-y

✦ Synopsis

Electrochemical cells have been fabricated for the simultaneous generation of oxygen and lithium from an LizO-containing molten salt (Li,O-LiCl-LiF). The cell utilizes an oxygen vacancy conducting solid electrolyte, yttriastabilized zirconia (YSZ), to effect separation between oxygen evolving and lithium reduction halfcell reactions. The cell, which operates at 700 -850 "C, possesses rapid electrode kinetics at the lithium-ahoy electrode with exchange current density (i,,) values being >60 mA cmd2. When used in the electrolytic mode, lithium produced at the negative electrode would be continuously removed from the cell for later use (under lunar conditions) as an easily storable reducing agent (compared with H,) for the chemical refining of lunar ores. Because of the high reversibility of this electrochemical system, it has also formed the basis for the lithium-oxygen secondary battery system which possesses the highest theoretical energy density yet investigated.