Electrochemical Reduction Behavior of Boron in Molten LiCl–KCl–KBF4

Abstract

Although the electrochemical behavior of Nd and Dy in Ne-Fe-B magnets has been investigated, the behavior of B in molten salt has not been clarified yet. Herein, the electrochemical reduction behavior of B(III) is investigated in molten LiCl–KCl–KBF4 at 723 K. A comparison of the cyclic voltammograms for Ni, Mo, and Ag electrodes suggests that Ni–B compounds were formed on the Ni electrode, and that the reduction of B(III) to B(0) occurred on the Ni, Mo, and Ag electrodes. Ni2B was confirmed to form on the Ni electrode by potentiostatic electrolysis at 1.3 V vs. Li+/Li. Granular deposits were observed on the same electrode. An Ag substrate was also electrolyzed at 1.3 V. Granular deposits were observed. However, in both cases, the presence of elemental B was not confirmed yet at this time.