Electrochemical Dissolution Process of Tungsten Carbide in Low Temperature Molten Salt System

Abstract

Abstract Tungsten was extracted from LiCl-KCl-Li2WO4 molten salt with tungsten carbide as soluble anode, and its electrochemical dissolution was studied. Although the fused salt electrochemical method has the advantages of short process and easy operation of the equipment, there are some problems in the current electrolysis process, such as higher electrolysis temperature, high energy consumption and complex composition of the products, in order to reduce the electrolysis temperature and energy consumption, tungsten was extracted by LiCl-KCl-Li2WO4 molten salt system at 400-600°C. In addition, compared with the blank salt electrolysis, the addition of Li2WO4 as the active material makes the reaction more likely to occur, and improves the dissolution efficiency and the current efficiency. Through a series of electrochemical tests, it is proved that adding Li2WO4 decreases the charge transfer resistance, speeds up the reaction and studies the oxidation-reduction process of tungsten ion in tungstate, it is proved that the redox process is a reversible process controlled by diffusion. Clusters of spherical tungsten powders were prepared at 500℃ by changing the experimental parameters to obtain the optimal conditions.