Study On Preparation Of Co-based Function Alloy By Electro-deoxidization In Molten Salt

CeCo5 is one of the excellent hydrogen storage materials and an important component in commercial hydrogen storage materials. CoSn is a kind of cathode material for lithium battery and an important component in lithium battery material. The existent manufacturing technologies are complex, the equipment are expensive, and the technologies are harmful to the environment. Direct reduction of metal oxide to metal or intermetallic compounds in molten salt is a newly emergent manufacturing technology which is characterized by its lower cost and simplefied techniques. Development of this process is important to expand new technique applying in the metallurgy.The method of electro-deoxidization was used to prepare Co, CeCo5 and CoSn from Co₃O₄, Co₃O₄-CeO2 and Co₃O₄-SnO2 respectively. Some key parameters were studied. The impact of the sintering temperature, voltage, time of electrolysis, molten salt temperature was studied. The mechanism of reaction was studied by cyclic voltammograms.The results showed: Co₃O₄ can be reduced into Co step by step from outside to inside; The higher the sintering temperature is, the lower the porosity is, and the lower the speed of electro-deoxidization is; The diffusion played an important role in the reduction process, and increasing porosity of the pellets is effective to fasten the reaction rate; CeCo₅ can be prepared by electro-deoxidization in molten salt; Sintering temperature has a grest impact on the porosity and morphology of the pellet; Pure CeCo₅ was produced from Co₃O₄-CeO₂ pellets sintered at 850℃after electrolyzation of 20h under the voltage of 3.1V; The deoxidization of Co₃O₄-CeO₂ began with reduction of Co₃O₄, CeO₂ was reduced and alloy was formed on the surface of newly-formed Co; CoSn can be prepared by electro-deoxidization in molten salt; Pure CoSn was produced from Co₃O₄-SnO₂ pellets sintered at 850℃after electrolyzation of 12h; The deoxidization of Co₃O₄-SnO₂ began with reduction of Co₃O₄, SnO2 was reduced and alloy was formed on the surface of newly-formed Co.