Process Optimization to Avoid Perfluorocarbon Emission During Neodymium Rare Earth Electrolysis in Molten LiF-NdF3-Nd2O3.

Authors :: Gibilaro, M.
Remazeilles, C.
Massot, L.
Chamelot, P.
Source :: Journal of The Electrochemical Society; Aug2022, Vol. 169 Issue 8, p1-7, 7p
Publication Year :: 2022
Abstract: Influence of Nd<subscript>2</subscript>O<subscript>3</subscript> in LiF-NdF<subscript>3</subscript>-Nd<subscript>2</subscript>O<subscript>3</subscript> melt on carbon anode oxidation was investigated by infra-red spectroscopy and electrochemical techniques to prevent CF<subscript>X(g)</subscript> 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 CO<subscript>2(g)</subscript> until a critical current density was reached. For higher values, CF<subscript>4(g) </subscript>and C<subscript>2</subscript>F<subscript>6(g)</subscript> were also produced. It was associated to diffusion limited current density of NdOF<subscript>5</subscript> <superscript>4−</superscript>. To avoid CF<subscript>X(g)</subscript> production during the process, the influence of Nd2O3 and temperature on this limiting current density was determined by steady-state voltammetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subjects :: PROCESS optimization
ELECTROLYSIS
NEODYMIUM
CRITICAL currents
MANUFACTURING processes

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