Research progress of rare earth molten salt electrolytes

Molten salt electrolysis is the main method for large-scale preparation of Rare Earth metals and their alloys, and it has the lowest cost, highest efficiency, and mature industrial application. Molten salt electrolyte is the main carrier in the electrolysis process, and the physical and chemical properties of the electrolyte are important factors affecting the quality of rare earth metals and the stability of the electrolysis process.

The commonly used molten salt electrolytes for the electrolysis of rare earths are chloride molten salt and fluoride molten salt. Chloride molten salt was developed very early and has many advantages. First, the melting point of chloride molten salt is relatively low; second, the ionic polarization of chloride ions is relatively high, and the electrical conductivity of chloride molten salt is very high, which also helps to save energy; third, carbon does not participate in the reaction during the electrolysis of chloride molten salt, so the prepared rare earth metal has a low carbon content; fourth, in the evaluation of the industrial process for electrolysis of rare earths, the use of rare earth chloride (RECl3) for direct molten salt electrolysis is shorter than the industrial process of rare earth fluoride molten salt electrolysis, which saves resources.

In industrial production, the preparation of rare earth metals by chloride molten salt electrolysis is mainly carried out in the RECl3-KCl molten salt system, and RECl3 is continuously replenished during the electrolysis process. A few factories also add BaCl2 and NaCl as additives in the process to adjust the properties of the electrolyte. Until now, the chloride molten salt system is still an important molten salt system for the electrolysis of rare earths. Chloride molten salt electrolytes are used in the preparation and production of many types of rare earth alloys, the preparation of rare earth coatings by electrodeposition, and the recovery and separation of rare earth elements.

Suzhou KP Chemical Co., Ltd can provide some rare earth metals and alloys such as Lanthanum metal, Cerium metal, Praseodymium metal, Neodymium metal, Aluminum Lanthanum Alloy, Aluminum Cerium Alloy, Aluminum Samarium Alloy, Aluminum Gadolinium Alloy, Aluminum Erbium Alloy, Aluminum YtTerbium Alloy, Aluminum Yttrium Alloy and Aluminum Scandium Alloy. Please contact info@szwww.kpchemmaterial.com or 086-18915544907.