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Anodic dissolution of vanadium in molten LiCl–KCl–TiCl2

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Abstract

The mechanism of anodic dissolution of pure vanadium in a titanium-enriched alkali chloride molten salt was investigated to determine whether it can be used as an ion source for a continuous Ti–V alloy deposition process. This study represents the first step towards the preparation of ternary Ti–Al–V alloys. Cyclic voltammetry as well electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was performed and potentials for dissolution experiments were determined. Additionally, the influence of anode morphologies on the dissolution process, as a consequence of pre-treatment, was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results indicate that anodic vanadium dissolution is possible, but hindered by the electroless formation of a thin titanium layer. Additionally, a secondary reaction, namely the oxidation of Ti2+ ions, takes place, lowering the current efficiency of the process. Morphology investigations revealed the risk of grain detachment (material loss) from the vanadium electrode, which is critical in direct dissolution, whereas under indirect dissolution conditions, passivation impedes the controlled process. Thus, electrolysis is best carried out with coarse-grained vanadium electrodes in the direct dissolution range.

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Acknowledgements

The German Research Foundation is gratefully acknowledged for their financial support for this project (HA 4397/6-1).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. IME Process Metallurgy and Metal Recycling, RWTH Aachen University, Intzestr. 3, 52072, Aachen, Germany

    Ksenija Milicevic & Bernd Friedrich

  2. Institute of Materials Research, German Aerospace Center (DLR), Linder Höhe, 51147, Cologne, Germany

    Joachim Gussone & Jan Haubrich

Authors
  1. Ksenija Milicevic
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  2. Bernd Friedrich
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  3. Joachim Gussone
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  4. Jan Haubrich
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Correspondence to Ksenija Milicevic.

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Milicevic, K., Friedrich, B., Gussone, J. et al. Anodic dissolution of vanadium in molten LiCl–KCl–TiCl2 . J Appl Electrochem 47, 573–581 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-017-1061-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-017-1061-6

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