Electrochemical reduction of titanium dioxide thin film in LiCl-KCl-CaCl2 eutectic melt

Abstract

The electrochemical reduction of a titanium dioxide (TiO2) thin film was investigated in LiCl-KCl-CaCl2 eutectic melt at 450°C TiO2 was reduced to Ti in the potential range from 0.2 to 1.0 V vs. Li/Li+, which is more positive than the Ca deposition potential (∼0.1 V vs. Li/Li+). A cathodic reaction, which is presumably assigned to the insertion of Li into TiO2, was observed at the potential more positive than the reduction of TiO2 to Ti. It is suggested that the electrochemical reduction of TiO2 to Ti is possible in LiCl-KCl-CaCl2 eutectic melt at 450°C though the slow diffusivity of titanium and /or oxide species in titanium oxides may be disadvantageous for mass production of Ti metal.