Determination of kinetic parameters for TiO2 and Nb2O5 molten salt FFC reduction by modelling experimental sweep voltammograms

The production of Ti and Nb metals from its oxides is an important candidate to become fully scale-up to the FFC (Fray?Farthing?Chen) process. In this process, electrochemical reactions reduce the metals oxides cathodes through oxygen ionization and further elimination on anode. The oxygen diffusion from solid oxide phases toward molten salt electrolyte is the main kinetic obstacle and is dependent on process temperature, oxides stoichiometry and diffusion coefficients. In this paper, experimental sweep voltammograms and mathematical modelling were used to obtain kinetic parameters of Ti and Nb production by FFC process, by simple fitting of experimental/simulated voltammetry curves. Diffusion coefficients, exchange current densities and cathodic transfer coefficients were obtained for the oxides present in reduction pathway.

Automated summary

The production of Ti and Nb metals through the FFC (Fray?Farthing?Chen) process involves electrochemical reactions reducing metal oxides and the main kinetic obstacle is oxygen diffusion, which depends on process temperature, oxides stoichiometry, and diffusion coefficients. Experimental sweep voltammograms and mathematical modeling were used to obtain kinetic parameters for Ti and Nb production, providing diffusion coefficients, exchange current densities, and cathodic transfer coefficients for the oxides involved in the reduction pathway.