The electrolysis of molten lithium chloride using inert graphite electrodes. Demo

[@Kokiri971]

Thank you, this is a very interesting video! I have a question though--since it has a higher reduction potential, shouldn't the potassium reduce instead of the lithium?

[@tmfan3888]

Griffin Kowash +1

[@nejiniisan1265]

It is dependent on the phase diagram. At 353 °C, in a mixture containing up to 59% (M/M) of LiCl, the mixture going to have molten LiCl + solid KCl. Above the eutectic point (59% M/M), at 353°C, you are going to get liquid KCl and solid LiCl. Besides that, reducing potentials apply for aqueous solutions only. For non aqueous, you need to see the ionization energy, Li has a ionization energy of 513 kJ/mol and K has 419 kJ/mol. That means it is harder for lithium lose an electron than potassium, therefore, it is easier for lithium to gain an electron. To get potassium reduced, you could use a mixture above the eutectic point or use another salt mixture, with potassium being the highest ionization energy metal in the mixture, for example, KCl + RbCl

[@LetsTalk9102]

Great video indeed. Question: At what supply current will LiCl dissociate?

[@alexa.davronov1537]

Well nice. But how it is extracted from the salt? The salt washed out?

[@RajendraJagad]

Thanks for the video ? Where did you buy the Inert Graphite rodes. I got from battery cell and they melt into the solution during electrolysis

[@LetsTalk9102]

The lithium might have been oxidised as soon as it came into contact with air.

[@MrUltamate11]

If anyone could help I'm quite interested. I believe Lithium chloride can be found in small deposits of rock near water springs or salt flats and potassium chloride can be taken from ocean water but how does that actually look? If our world went post apocalyptic and I wanted to re-teach the battery how would I go about it? Meaning finding the materials in nature instead of stealing the chemicals from the abandoned chem store/university. Kinda like knowing that silver can help kill bacteria. I'm bored

[@Michy20]

Well, you could do a flame test, if it is sodium chloride it will glow orange, if it it's lithium chloride it will glow red

[@fireworkstarter]

Good luck building the modern battery in an appocolypse xD dont forget they are minerals mined around the world refined in 1 country processed in the other. Im sure you can find the lithium but dont forget the nickel cobalt and the crazy solvents. Making a lead acid battery would be simpler because you can find lead around houses and can make sulphuric acid from minerals found around you.

[@praveendesaa3851]

you are using too much voltage . potassium gets reduced too and lithium wont coat . use between 5-6 volts