Electrochemical Mechanism of Molten Salt Electrolysis from TiO(2) to Titanium

Electrochemical mechanisms of molten salt electrolysis from TiO(2) to titanium were investigated by Potentiostatic electrolysis, cyclic voltammetry, and square wave voltammetry in NaCl-CaCl(2) at 800 °C. The composition and morphology of the product obtained at different electrolysis times were characterized by XRD and SEM. CaTiO(3) phase was found in the TiO(2) electrochemical reduction process. Electrochemical reduction of TiO(2) to titanium is a four-step reduction process, which can be summarized as TiO(2)→Ti(4)O(7)→Ti(2)O(3)→TiO→Ti. Spontaneous and electrochemical reactions take place simultaneously in the reduction process. The electrochemical reduction of TiO(2)→Ti(4)O(7)→Ti(2)O(3)→TiO affected by diffusion was irreversible.