Ellingham Diagram

Gibbs energy () is the most important thermodynamic property in metal extraction

( ).
For any reaction:

Grx = Hrx - TSrx

Where:
Hrx = enthalpy
T = temperature (K)
Srx = entropy
If G < 0, then the process is spontaneous (). While more negative () is G, the process
is more spontaneous
If G > 0, then the process is not spontaneous ()
If G = 0, then the process is on equilibrium ()
The graphic of the change in the Gibbs energy when 1 mol of oxygen, sulphur (or) halogen is used to
form oxides, sulphides (or) halides of metals plotted against temperature is called an Ellingham
diagram.

G0T H0298 - TS0298

Ellingham diagram for oxides:
i.
ii.

Metal to oxide reactions show a positive slope (S < 0). The entropy decreases due to the
consumption of oxygen (gas).
The line changes when the material melts. The temperature at which such a change occurs is
indicated by an increase in the slope.

iii. At G = 0
When T < TE G < 0 (formation of the oxide is negative so the oxide is stable)
When T > TE G > 0 (oxide becomes unstable and will decompose into metal and oxygen)

iv.

v.

A metal reduces an oxide of other metal when the line is over the reductor in the diagram.

The lower the position of a metal's line in the Ellingham diagram, the greater is the stability of its
oxide. Any metal will reduce an oxide of another metal that lies above it in an Ellingham
diagram.
Ex. metallic Aluminium can reduce chromium oxide to metallic chromium, the Aluminium itself being
oxidized to Aluminium oxide. (This reaction is employed in thermite.)

Reducing agents (C, CO)

The reduction of metal oxides is often made using carbon as a reducing agent. When carbon reacts with
oxygen it forms carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.

Below 710 , G for the formation of Fe2O3 is more than G of formation of CO2 from CO. Therefore,
CO is better reducing agent for Fe2O3.

2Fe2O3 + 3CO 2Fe+3CO2

Above 710, G for the formation of Fe2O3 is more than G of CO formation from Carbon. Hence,
above 710 , carbon is better reducing agent for Fe2O3.

2Fe2O3 + C 2Fe+3CO
Limitations:
The reactants () and products () are in equilibrium, which is not often true
It does not explained about the rate of the reaction