Electrochemically depositing titanium(iii) ions at liquid tin in a NaCl–KCl melt

Abstract

The electrochemical behavior of titanium ions at a liquid tin cathode has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry in a NaCl–KCl melt at 1023 K. The results show that the deposition potentials of alkali metals and titanium at liquid tin are more positive than those at a solid tungsten cathode. Meanwhile, the results prove that titanium(III) ions can be reduced at liquid tin with a one-step reduction, Ti³⁺ + 3e = Ti, which is a quasi-reversible process with diffusion-controlled mass transfer. The diffusion coefficient of titanium(III) ions is 1.05 × 10⁻⁵ cm² s⁻¹. Additionally, galvanostatic electrolysis has been carried out to clarify the effect of the current density on the cathodic products. The result demonstrates that a greater depth of titanium will be diffused into the liquid tin cathode during electrolysis with a lower current density.