Accelerated Electro-Reduction of TiO2 to Metallic Ti in a CaCl2 Bath Using an Inert Intermetallic Anode

Abstract In the FFC-Cambridge process, cathodic dissociation of oxide and CO/CO 2 production on carbon anode is basis for metal in a CaCl bath. Using an inert intermetallic anode, CO evolution can be eliminated altogether with acceleration electro-reduction kinetics. presence TiO suffers from slow reduction kinetics to Ti metal, which enhanced significantly by incorporation alkali species pellet at cathode bath anode. With K + -ion matrix salt bath, nearly full metallization greater than 99% containing 1500 ppm oxygen was possible achieve less 16 h electro-reduction. The microstructural chemical analysis metallic phase its morphology revealed layer titanium that forms fast reaction step 5 h, after rate slows down before terminating h. investigation showed two different types microstructures were evident—a thin sheet-like material outer periphery reduced dendritic core found under peripheral sheet layer. mechanism morphological changes form explained.