Thermodynamic rationalization of molten-salt clectrodeposition in oxide-based systems

Abstract

Electrodeposition from molten-salt systems has been studied extensively as a method of producing both polycrystalline and single-crystalline materials. In this work, the thermodynamic aspects of the electrodeposition process are examined in a number of cases in which the molten-salt system behaves effectively as an oxygen-transporting medium, with particular reference to the thermodynamic properties of the melt. It is demonstrated how information gained from the construction of the appropriate isothermal phase diagram may be used to control and/or rationalize the behavior found in a given melt system on electrolysis.