The Electrodeposition of Aluminium-Niobium Alloys From Chloroaluminate Electrolytes

Published

August 1, 1998

Author(s)

Gery R. Stafford, G Haarberg

Abstract

The electrochemical behavior of niobium in a 52:48 mole ratio A1C1₃:NaC1 molten salt electrolyte was examined by liner sweep voltammetry, chronoamperometry and chronopotentiometry at 190 C. Niobium oxidation begins at about 1.10 V vs. A1 but appears to be limited to a charge of about 4mC/cm2 before the electrode becomes inhibited. This inhibition is likely due to limited solubility of the niobium oxidation product. The inhibition region extends from about 1.20 V to 1.40 V. At higher oxidation potentials, the current can be continuously increased up to the anodic limit of the chloroaluminate electrolyte. Gravimetric analysis during oxidation indicates that the dissolution of Nb at 1.50 V is a two-electron process. Aluminium-niobium alloys can be electrodeposited from the above electrolyte following Nb dissolution. Alloys containing a Nb atomic fraction of up to 13.5% have been electrodeposited. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy examination of these electrodeposits indicated that the low Nb concentration deposits (

Conference Dates

August 12-17, 1997

Conference Location

RU

Conference Title

NATO Advanced Research on Refractory Metals in Molten Salts

Pub Type

Conferences

Keywords

aluminium-niobium alloys, chloroaluminate, electrochemical transients, electrodeposition, niobium dissolution

Citation

Stafford, G. and Haarberg, G. (1998), The Electrodeposition of Aluminium-Niobium Alloys From Chloroaluminate Electrolytes, NATO Advanced Research on Refractory Metals in Molten Salts, RU (Accessed October 13, 2025)