Electrodeposition of refractory metals in medium-temperature molten salts

Abstract

Metallic tungsten deposits were obtained by potentiostatic electrolyses in ZnCl2-NaCl-KCl and ZnCl2-NaCl-KCl-KF melts containing WCl4 at 250°C Both the deposits obtained after the electrolysis of three hours were about 0.5 μm of thickness. Addition of KF gave a smooth metal deposit. A dense metallic molybdenum deposit was also obtained by potentiostatic electrolyses in molten ZnCl2-NaCl-KCl-KF containing MoCl3 at 250°C Thickness of the layer was about 3 μm after the electrolysis of three hours. Addition of KF in the melt improved adhesion of the metal deposit.