Abstract: A method of electrolytic reduction of a feedstock comprising oxygen and a first metal comprises the steps of, arranging the feedstock in contact with a cathode and a molten salt within an electrolysis cell, arranging an anode in contact with the molten salt within the electrolysis cell, the anode comprising a molten second metal and applying a potential between the anode and the cathode such that oxygen is removed from the feedstock to form a reduced feedstock. The oxygen removed from the feedstock reacts with the molten second metal to form an oxide comprising the second metal. The second metal is aluminium. The reduced feedstock may comprise a proportion of aluminium.

Abstract: A method of making a graphene-containing material comprising the steps of: electrolytically reducing a transition metal oxide to a transition metal in an electrolytic cell using a molten salt electrolyte and a carbon anode; followed by extracting a dry graphene material from the electrolytic cell. Also provided is a graphene-containing material obtainable by the method of the invention.

Abstract: A method of electrolytic reduction of a feedstock comprising oxygen and a first metal comprises the steps of, arranging the feedstock in contact with a cathode and a molten salt within an electrolysis cell, arranging an anode in contact with the molten salt within the electrolysis cell, the anode comprising a molten second metal and applying a potential between the anode and the cathode such that oxygen is removed from the feedstock to form a reduced feedstock. The oxygen removed from the feedstock reacts with the molten second metal to form an oxide comprising the second metal. The second metal is aluminium. The reduced feedstock may comprise a proportion of aluminium.

Abstract: A method of producing metallic tantalum comprises the steps of providing a precursor comprising a tantalate of a first metal, arranging the precursor material in contact with a molten salt in an electrolytic cell, the electrolysis cell further comprising an anode and a cathode arranged in contact with the molten salt, and applying a potential between the anode and the cathode such that the precursor material is reduced to tantalum. The first metal is an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal. The anode does not comprise a carbon material, which prevents contamination of the tantalum and improves current efficiency of the process.

Abstract: A method of making a graphene-containing material comprising the steps of: electrolytically reducing a transition metal oxide to a transition metal in an electrolytic cell using a molten salt electrolyte and a carbon anode; followed by extracting a dry graphene material from the electrolytic cell. Also provided is a graphene-containing material obtainable by the method of the invention.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing metal by electrolytic reduction of a feedstock comprising an oxide of a first metal. The method comprises the steps of arranging the feedstock in contact with a cathode and a molten salt within an electrolysis cell, arranging an anode in contact with the molten salt within the electrolysis cell, and applying a potential between the anode and the cathode such that oxygen is removed from the feedstock. The anode comprises a second metal, which at the temperature of electrolysis within the cell is a molten metal. The second metal is a different metal to the first metal. Oxygen removed from the feedstock during electrolysis reacts with the molten second metal to form an oxide comprising the second metal. Thus, oxygen is not evolved as a gas at the molten anode.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing metal by electrolytic reduction of a feedstock comprising an oxide of a first metal. The method comprises the steps of arranging the feedstock in contact with a cathode and a molten salt within an electrolysis cell, arranging an anode in contact with the molten salt within the electrolysis cell, and applying a potential between the anode and the cathode such that oxygen is removed from the feedstock. The anode comprises a second metal, which at the temperature of electrolysis within the cell is a molten metal. The second metal is a different metal to the first metal. Oxygen removed from the feedstock during electrolysis reacts with the molten second metal to form an oxide comprising the second metal. Thus, oxygen is not evolved as a gas at the molten anode.

Abstract: A method of electrolytic reduction of a feedstock comprising oxygen and a first metal comprises the steps of, arranging the feedstock in contact with a cathode and a molten salt within an electrolysis cell, arranging an anode in contact with the molten salt within the electrolysis cell, the anode comprising a molten second metal and applying a potential between the anode and the cathode such that oxygen is removed from the feedstock to form a reduced feedstock. The oxygen removed from the feedstock reacts with the molten second metal to form an oxide comprising the second metal. The second metal is aluminium. The reduced feedstock may comprise a proportion of aluminium.

Abstract: A method of producing metallic tantalum comprises the steps of providing a precursor comprising a tantalate of a first metal, arranging the precursor material in contact with a molten salt in an electrolytic cell, the electrolysis cell further comprising an anode and a cathode arranged in contact with the molten salt, and applying a potential between the anode and the cathode such that the precursor material is reduced to tantalum. The first metal is an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal. The anode does not comprise a carbon material, which prevents contamination of the tantalum and improves current efficiency of the process.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing metal by electrolytic reduction of a feedstock comprising an oxide of a first metal. The method comprises the steps of arranging the feedstock in contact with a cathode and a molten salt within an electrolysis cell, arranging an anode in contact with the molten salt within the electrolysis cell, and applying a potential between the anode and the cathode such that oxygen is removed from the feedstock. The anode comprises a second metal, which at the temperature of electrolysis within the cell is a molten metal. The second metal is a different metal to the first metal. Oxygen removed from the feedstock during electrolysis reacts with the molten second metal to form an oxide comprising the second metal. Thus, oxygen is not evolved as a gas at the molten anode.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns an electro-decomposition process wherein a cathode comprising a metal compound is contacted with a fused salt electrolyte in an electrochemical cell. The metal compound is a compound between a metal and another substance, and a voltage is applied between the cathode and an anode such that the substance is removed from the metal compound. In the improved method, the applied voltage increases with time, either continuously or stepwise, up to a predetermined maximum voltage. In addition, or in the alternative, the fused salt composition is selected so as to maintain a predetermined concentration of the substance in the fused salt during electro-decomposition.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns an electro-decomposition process wherein a cathode comprising a metal compound is contacted with a fused salt electrolyte in an electrochemical cell. The metal compound is a compound between a metal and another substance, and a voltage is applied between the cathode and an anode such that the substance is removed from the metal compound. In the improved method, the applied voltage increases with time, either continuously or stepwise, up to a predetermined maximum voltage. In addition, or in the alternative, the fused salt composition is selected so as to maintain a predetermined concentration of the substance in the fused salt during electro-decomposition.