Electrochemical Preparation of Al-Li-Er-Tm Alloys by Co-reduction

Abstract

The electrochemical behavior of Al, Li, Er, and Tm was investigated on tungsten electrodes in LiCl-KCl-AlF3-ErCl3-TmCl3 melts. The results indicated that the co-reduction of Al, Li, Er, and Tm occurs at current densities more negative than −0.469 A cm−2 or applied potentials more negative than −2.31 V. The strengthen phases of Al3Er and Al3Tm were prepared by galvanostatic electrolysis and characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. ICP-AES analyses showed that the content of lithium, erbium, and thulium in Al-Li-Er-Tm alloys could be controlled by adjusting AlF3 concentration and electrochemical parameters.