Electrochemical synthesis of CeNi 4Cu alloy from the mixed oxides and in situ heat treatment in a eutectic LiCl–KCl melt

Abstract

CeNi 4Cu alloy powders were prepared by electro-deoxidation of oxide precursors in molten KCl–LiCl at 650 °C. The reduction pathway from the mixture of CeO 2 and (Ni 0.8Cu 0.2)O to CeNi 4Cu was studied by examination of partially and fully reduced samples using XRD and SEM with EDX analyses, which were obtained by interrupting the reduction process after different times. The first stage of the reaction involved the rapid formation of Ni–Cu alloy and Ni, thereafter CeO 2 was electrochemically reduced and alloyed with Ni–Cu alloy or Ni. Interconnected nodular CeNi 4Ce particles with smooth surfaces about 2 μm were obtained after the heat treatment in situ in the molten KCl–LiCl.