Development and Testing of High Surface Area Iridium Anodes for Molten Oxide Electrolysis
Open accessAbstract
Processing of lunar regolith into oxygen for habitat and propulsion is needed to support future space missions. Direct electrochemical reduction of molten regolith is an attractive method of processing, because no additional chemical reagents are needed. The electrochemical processing of molten oxides requires high surface area, inert anodes. Such electrodes need to be structurally robust at elevated temperatures (1400–1600°C), be resistant to thermal shock, have good electrical conductivity, be resistant to attack by molten oxide (silicate), be electrochemically stable and support high current density. Iridium with its high melting point, good oxidation resistance, superior high temperature strength and ductility is the most promising candidate for anodes in high temperature electrochemical processes. Several innovative concepts for manufacturing such anodes by electrodeposition of iridium from molten salt electrolyte (EL-FormTM process) were evaluated. Iridium electrodeposition to form of complex shape components and coating was investigated. Iridium coated graphite, porous iridium structure and solid iridium anodes were fabricated. Testing of electroformed iridium anodes shows no visible degradation. The result of development, manufacturing and testing of high surface, inert iridium anodes will be presented.
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Electrolytes include molten calcium chloride, molten cryolite, molten regolith, and ionic liquid.
“Electrolytes include molten calcium chloride, 114,115 molten cryolite, 116 molten regolith, 117,118 and ionic liquid. 119,120”
From Energy system and resource utilization in space: A state-of-the-art review (2024) · cites this paper as [117]
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References 7 · Cited by 6
- Authors
- Shchetkovskiy, A., McKechnie, T., Sadoway, D. R., Paramore, J., Melendez, O., & Curreri, P. A.
- Affiliations
- Marshall Space Flight Center (US)
- Plasma Processes Inc., Huntsville, AL, 35811
- Venue
- Earth and Space 2010
- Publisher
- American Society of Civil Engineers
- Published
- 2010-03-11
- Pages
- 1039-1045
- OpenAlex
- W2089653643
- Cited by
- 6
- References
- 7
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 1.25
- Type
- conference paper
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- hdl.handle.net
- Locations
- ASCE International Conference on Engineering, Science, Construction, and Operations in Challenging Environments (Earth and Space) (publishedVersion)
- NASA STI Repository (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Chemical Engineering › Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes › Molten salt chemistry and electrochemical processes
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Electrodeposition and Electroless Coatings
- Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Materials Chemistry › Advancements in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
- Keywords
- molten oxide electrolysis, lunar regolith processing, oxygen production, inert anode, high surface area electrodes, molten salt electrolyte, high-temperature electrochemistry, thermal shock resistance, electrochemical stability
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