Process Optimization to Avoid Perfluorocarbon Emission During Neodymium Rare Earth Electrolysis in Molten LiF-NdF3-Nd2O3. Issue 8 (1st August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gibilaro, M.; Remazeilles, C.; Massot, L.; Chamelot, P.
• Is Part Of: Journal of the Electrochemical Society. Volume 169:Issue 8(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-08-01
• Subjects: Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; 541.3705
• DOI: 10.1149/1945-7111/ac8377
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4651

Abstract

Abstract : Influence of Nd2 O3 in LiF-NdF3 -Nd2 O3 melt on carbon anode oxidation was investigated by infra-red spectroscopy and electrochemical techniques to prevent CFX(g) formation during Nd metal production. A gas extractor device was developed to provide fast analysis of the electrochemically produced gas: the carbon anode was only oxidized into CO2(g) until a critical current density was reached. For higher values, CF4(g) and C2 F6(g) were also produced. It was associated to diffusion limited current density of NdOF5 4− . To avoid CFX(g) production during the process, the influence of Nd2 O3 and temperature on this limiting current density was determined by steady-state voltammetry.