Electrodeposition of refractory metals (Ti, Zr, Nb, Ta) from molten salt electrolytes

• DOI: 10.1007/bf00241947
• Publication Date: 2004-09-15T14:04:21Z
• Authors: A. Girginov; T.Z. Tzvetkoff; M. Bojinov
• Keywords: 0211 other engineering and technologies; 0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering; 02 engineering and technology; 3. Good health

A selective review of the anodic and cathodic processes associated with electroextraction, electrorefining and plating of refractory metals (Ti, Zr, Nb and Ta) from molten salt-based electrolytes is presented with regard to the results obtained during the last two decades. Special attention is paid to the mechanism of cathodic reduction and its rate-limiting steps, as well as to the parallel chemical reactions of disproportionation and complexing. The anodic processes in corrosion and electrodissolution of Ti, Zr, Nb and Ta in molten electrolytes are also discussed. As a conclusion, a few contradictory subject-related questions are outlined and some new trends of investigation are suggested.