Out of C and CO, which is better reducing agent for ZnO?

Explanation

The ` Delta _f G ^(@) ` of `CO_ 2 ` from CO is always higher than that of ` Delta_f G ^(@)` of ` ZnO `. Therefore, CO cannot be used for reduction of ZnO to Zn. In contrast, ` Delta _f G ^(@) ` of CO from C is lower at temperatures above 1180 K while that of ` CO_ 2 ` from C is lower in temperature above 1270 K than ` Delta _ f G ^(@) ` of ZnO. Thus, above 1270 K, ZnO can be reduced to Zn by C. In actual practice , reduction is usually carried out around 1673 K so that the reduction process essentilly goes to completion. Thus, out of C and CO, C is a better reducing agent than CO for reduction of ZnO to Zn.