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The Electrochemical Society, ECS Transactions, 19(58), p. 65-74, 2014

DOI: 10.1149/05819.0065ecst

Elsevier, Electrochemistry Communications, (41), p. 44-46, 2014

DOI: 10.1016/j.elecom.2014.01.022

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A Fluidised Cathode Process for the Electrochemical Reduction of Tungsten Oxide in A Molten LiCl-KCl Eutectic

This paper is available in a repository.
This paper is available in a repository.

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Abstract

The electrochemical reduction of metal oxides is an important step in refractory metal production and in the pyroprocessing of spent nuclear materials. The FFC Cambridge process has revolutionised molten salt electrolysis; however, it has quite a low efficiency and has diffusion and oxide build-up issues. The fluidised cathode approach eliminates some of these issues. To illustrate the process, the electroreduction of tungsten oxide particles from a LiCl-KCl eutectic is demonstrated. Cyclic voltammetric measurements were taken and show the main reduction peak for WO3 to W to be at -2.135 V (vs. Ag/Ag+) at an operating temperature of 450 degrees C. Chronoamperometry shows an increase in current associated with an increasing current collector size and the spalling of deposited W from the surface. SEM and EDS analyses of the product reveal the deposit to be pure W.