Electrochemical Mechanism of Molten Salt Electrolysis from TiO2 to Titanium

Abstract

Electrochemical mechanisms of molten salt electrolysis from TiO2 to titanium were investigated by Potentiostatic electrolysis, cyclic voltammetry, and square wave voltammetry in NaCl-CaCl2 at 800 °C. The composition and morphology of the product obtained at different electrolysis times were characterized by XRD and SEM. CaTiO3 phase was found in the TiO2 electrochemical reduction process. Electrochemical reduction of TiO2 to titanium is a four-step reduction process, which can be summarized as TiO2→Ti4O7→Ti2O3→TiO→Ti. Spontaneous and electrochemical reactions take place simultaneously in the reduction process. The electrochemical reduction of TiO2→Ti4O7→Ti2O3→TiO affected by diffusion was irreversible.