Yasuhiko Ito

Abstract:

We have invented various novel molten salt electrochemical processes, which are available to create new industries in the energy, environment and resources field. They seem promising from both technological and economic aspects, and they are now under development towards industrializations. Among them, in this lecture, the following 4 (four) topics are selected and described in details showing their principles, experimental data and current developmental stages. The result of economical estimations of each process is also presented. (1) Electrolytic synthesis of ammonia from water and nitrogen under atmospheric pressure, which might be able to take place of conventional Haber-Bosch process; (2) Electrochemical formation of various types of carbon film and their practical applications, (3) Plasma-induced discharge electrolysis to produce various metal/alloy nano-particles, and (4)Recycling of rare-metals using "bifunctional" electrode.