Electrochemical Formation of Nd-Ni Alloys in Molten LiF-CaF2-NdF3

Abstract

The electrochemical formation of Nd-Ni alloys was investigated in a molten LiF-CaF2-NdF3 (0.30 mol%) system at 1123 K. Cyclic voltammetry and open-circuit potentiometry indicated the formation of several phases of Nd-Ni alloys. The whole electrode became almost NdNi2 phase by potentiostatic electrolysis of a 0.2 mm-thick Ni plate at 0.15 V vs. Li+/Li for 75 minutes. The formed NdNi2 electrodes were transformed to other phases such as NdNi3 and NdNi5. The existences of NdNi2, NdNi3 and NdNi5 were confirmed by powder XRD analysis. By summarizing the results, the formation potential for each alloy phase has been determined.