Laser-induced Mg production from magnesium oxide using Si-based agents and Si-based agents recycling

Abstract

We succeeded in laser-induced magnesium (Mg) production from magnesium oxide (MgO) using Si-based agents, silicon (Si) and silicon monoxide (SiO). In these experiments, a cw CO2 laser irradiated a mixture of Mg and Si-based agents. Both experimental studies and theoretical analysis help not only understand the function of reducing agents but also optimize Mg extraction in laser-induced Mg production. The optimal energy efficiencies 12.1 mg/kJ and 4.5 mg/kJ of Mg production were achieved using Si and SiO, respectively. Besides, the possibility of recycling Si and SiO was preliminarily investigated without reducing agents but only with laser-irradiation. As for the Si-based agents recycling, we succeed in removing 36 mol % of oxygen fraction from SiO2, obtaining 0.7 mg/kJ of Si production efficiency as well as 15.6 mg/kJ of SiO one at the same time. In addition, the laser irradiation to MgO-SiO mixture produced 24 mg/kJ of Si with more than 99% purity.