Removal of substances from metal and semi-metal compounds
AssigneeCambridge Univ. Technical Services, Ltd.
InventorsDerek John Fray, Thomas William Farthing, Zheng Chen
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Abstract
The present invention pertains to a method for removing a substance (X) from a solid metal or semi-metal compound (M1X) by electrolysis in a melt of M2Y, which comprises conducting the electrolysis under conditions such that reaction of X rather than M2 deposition occurs at a electrode surface, and that X dissolves in the electrolyte M2Y. The substance X is either removed from the surface (i.e., M1X) or by means of diffusion extracted from the case material. The temperature of the fused salt is chosen below the melting temperature of the metal M1. The potential is chosen below the decomposition potential of the electrolyte.
Claims41
A method for removing a substance (X) from a solid compound (M1X) between the substance and a metal or semi-metal (M1), comprising the steps of:
- arranging an electrode comprising the solid compound in contact with an electrolyte (M2Y) comprising a fused salt, the electrolyte comprising a cation (M2);
- arranging an anode in contact with the electrolyte;
- and
- applying a voltage between the electrode and the anode such that the potential at the electrode is lower than a deposition potential for the cation at a surface of the electrode and such that the substance dissolves in the electrolyte.
A method for removing a substance (X) from a solid compound (M1X) between the substance and a metal or semi-metal (M1), comprising the steps of:
- arranging an electrode comprising the solid compound in contact with an electrolyte (M2Y) comprising a fused salt, the electrolyte comprising a cation (M2);
- arranging an anode in contact with the electrolyte;
- and
- applying a voltage between the electrode and the anode such that reaction of the substance rather than deposition of the cation occurs at an electrode surface, and that the substance dissolves in the electrolyte.
A method for forming an alloy of two or more metal or semi-metal components (M1, MN), comprising the steps of:
- providing solid compounds (M1X, MNZ) of each of the components with another substance or substances (X, Z);
- mixing the solid compounds together;
- providing an electrolyte (M2Y) comprising a fused salt, the electrolyte comprising a cation (M2);
- arranging an electrode comprising the mixed solid compounds in contact with the electrolyte;
- arranging an anode in contact with the electrolyte;
- and
- applying a voltage between the electrode and the cathode such that the potential at the electrode is lower than a deposition potential for the cation at a surface of the electrode and such that the substance or substances dissolve(s) in the electrolyte.
A method for forming an alloy of two or more metal or semi-metal components (M1, MN), comprising the steps of:
- providing solid compounds (M1X, MNZ) of each of the components with another substance or substances (X, Z);
- mixing the solid compounds together;
- providing an electrolyte (M2Y) comprising a fused salt, the electrolyte comprising a cation (M2);
- arranging a cathode comprising the mixed solid compounds in contact with the electrolyte;
- arranging an anode in contact with the electrolyte;
- and
- applying a voltage between the electrode and the anode such that reaction of the substance or substances rather than deposition of the cation occurs at an electrode surface, and that the substance or substances dissolve(s) in the electrolyte.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.