In:
ECS Transactions, The Electrochemical Society, Vol. 50, No. 11 ( 2013-03-15), p. 119-126
Abstract:
Direct electrolytic reduction of powdery SiO 2 has been investigated in molten CaCl 2 at 1123 K aiming at a low cost and mass production of solar-grade Si. SiO 2 powder was set on a Si plate which was installed at the bottom of the crucible and connected to a graphite rod used as a current lead. SiO 2 powder was reduced to Si by cathodic polarization of the Si plate. The reduction rate was evaluated by the magnitude of the reduction current, in which three parameters were varied: electrode potential, SiO 2 layer thickness, and SiO 2 particle size. As a result, the rate-determining step of the reduction is suggested to be the diffusion of O 2- ions inside the reduced porous Si particles filled with the electrolyte. During the reduction process, however, other factors such as contact resistance between Si particles and porosity of SiO 2 particles possibly influence the reduction rate.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1938-5862
,
1938-6737
DOI:
10.1149/05011.0119ecst
Language:
Unknown
Publisher:
The Electrochemical Society
Publication Date:
2013
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