Direct Electrochemical Reduction of Solid Lead Oxide in Acetamide-1-Methylimidazolium Trifluoromethylsulfonate Low-Temperature Molten Salt

In this work, we report an electrochemical route to directly reduce solid lead oxide (PbO) to lead in an acetamide-1-methylimidazolium trifluoromethylsulfonate (acetamide-MIMTfO) low-temperature molten salt. A cyclic voltammogram recorded using a graphite cavity electrode filled with PbO powder reveals that solid PbO can be directly electrochemically reduced to lead. Constant voltage electrolysis experiments with a PbO pellet cathode and a high-purity graphite anode were performed under different constant voltages (2.2–2.8 V) and at 343 K for different durations (2–6 h). XRD patterns of the electrolysis products confirm that the PbO pellet can be thoroughly reduced to lead after 6 h electrolysis. The present electrochemical route and acetamide-MIMTfO low-temperature molten salt can be used for extracting metals from their oxides at room temperature.