Study of causes of film formation on the electrolyte surface during niobium electrorefining

Abstract

Formation of a conducting film on the surface of fused electrolyte during electrorefining of niobium in chloride melts was investigated. It was found that this film has metallic nature and is formed as a result of disproportionation of niobium(III) ions at a liquid-gas interface. Decreasing temperature gradient along the heated part of the electrolyser can be used to limit the influence of the disproportionation onto film formation. The metal film formation on solid ceramics can be used for creation of conducting layers on various oxide materials. copyright The Electrochemical Society.