Pathways to Electrochemical Ironmaking at Scale Via the Direct Reduction of Fe2O3

Abstract

Electrochemical ironmaking can provide an energy efficient, zero-emissions alternative to traditional methods of ironmaking, but the scalability of low-temperature electrochemical cells may be constrained by reactor throughput and the availability of acceptable feedstocks. Electrodes directly converting solid iron-oxide particles to metal circumvent traditional mass-transport limitations but are sensitive to both the particle size and nanoscale morphology of reactants. The effect of these properties on reactor throughput has not been systematically studied at model electrowinning surfaces. Here, we have used size-controlled, homologous α-Fe₂O₃ particles to study how the nanoscale morphology of oxides influences the obtainable current density toward Fe metal and integrated these results in a technoeconomic model for alkaline iron electrowinning systems. Micron-scale α-Fe₂O₃ with nanoscale porosity can be used to form Fe at current densities commensurate with industrial water electrolysis (>0.6 A cm^–2) in the absence of external convection, providing a path to cost-competitive and scalable ironmaking using electrochemistry.