Theoretical and experimental study of anode process at the carbon in KF-AlF 3-Al 2O 3 melts

Abstract

The influence of the [KF]/[AlF 3] ratio (1.1-1.5 mol mol -1), the Al 2O 3 concentration (1-5 wt.%) and the temperature (973-1073 K) on the overpotential of the anode process for a glassy carbon electrode in a KF-AlF 3-Al 2O 3 melt under stationary and non-stationary conditions was studied by galvanostatic polarisation and chronopotentiometry. A theoretical (mathematical) description of the two-step electrode process at the carbon anode in KF-AlF 3-Al 2O 3 melts under stationary and non-stationary conditions is suggested. The charge of the electric double-layer, the formation of an intermediate CO ads adsorption product at the anode surface, the limitations of the current transfer, which include the charge transfer through the electrode/electrolyte interface, and the diffusion and chemical interaction of the electroactive ions in the melt near the anode surface were taken onto account. Alterations of the basic parameters of the process were monitored and analysed. Estimates of anode process kinetics parameters (e.g., exchange current densities and the degree of the anode surface coverage by the intermediate product CO ads) for different experimental conditions were made by a comparison of the modelled and experimental polarisation curves. The electrochemical desorption of the intermediate product CO ads from the anode surface (the second step) was shown to be relatively slower than the charge transfer process (the first step). In addition, slow chemical reactions at current densities of 0.1-1 A cm -2 can occur prior to the electrode process. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.