Abstract
During the magnesium electrolysis process, graphite anodes are prone to consumption and fragmentation, disrupting normal operations and releasing greenhouse gases. In this study, we introduce a continuous, carbon-free approach to magnesium electrolysis using a stable argon plasma as the anode. The argon plasma anode operates via two distinct electrochemical stages: argon ionization at an average potential of 347.3 ± 95.3 V and chlorine evolution at 124.5 ± 9.0 V. A protective boron nitride (BN) coating on the tungsten collector filament significantly reduces corrosion. Atomic emission spectroscopy confirms the presence of Ar(+) ions, whose concentration increases with current. Thermodynamic calculations and reaction analysis demonstrate that Ar(+) facilitates chloride oxidation via the reaction: 2Ar(+) + 2Cl(-) → 2Ar + Cl(2). This research demonstrates the feasibility of argon plasma as an inert anode for chloride-based molten salt electrolysis, offering a sustainable alternative for magnesium production and potential applications in other high-temperature corrosive environments.