Disclosed herein are applications for using lithium carbide materials including reducing agents, radiocarbon dating, and acetylene storage materials.

A method for producing a hydrocarbon including: preparing a molten salt containing a carbonate of a first metal; obtaining precipitates containing a first metal carbide by applying a voltage to the molten salt; and obtaining a gas containing the hydrocarbon and a hydroxide of the first metal by hydrolyzing the first metal carbide.

A method for producing a metal carbide including: preparing a molten salt containing at least one first metal ion selected from alkali metal ions or alkali earth metal ions; preparing an electrode containing carbon; and applying a voltage to the molten salt using the electrode to obtain a metal carbide composition containing a carbide of the first metal.

A method for producing a metal carbide, including electrode preparation that includes preparing a first molten salt containing at least one first metal ion selected from alkali metal ions or alkali earth metal ions, and a carbonate ion, and applying a voltage to the first molten salt to precipitate a precipitate containing carbon on a first electrode, thereby obtaining a second electrode; and electrolysis that includes applying a voltage to a second molten salt containing at least one second metal ion selected from alkali metal ions or alkali earth metal ions using the second electrode to obtain a carbide composition containing a carbide of the second metal.