Due to TiAl alloys’ excellent properties, TiAl alloys have received widespread attention from researchers. However, the high energy consumption and lengthy process of traditional preparation methods have always limited the large-scale application of TiAl alloys. This article develops a new method for preparing TiAl-based alloy powder via the magnesium thermal reduction of TiO2in AlCl3-KCl molten salt. In this study, the proportion of AlCl3&KCl molten salts was determined. We conducted phase analysis on the final product by studying the changes in temperature and time. It was found that the TiAl3alloy powder could be obtained by being kept at 750 °C for 2 h, with an oxygen content of 3.91 wt%. The reaction process for the entire experiment was determined through thermodynamic calculations and experimental analysis, and the principles of the reduction process are discussed.Keywords:TiAl alloy;magnesium reduction;AlCl3-KCl;TiO2
Based on the high safety and low costs, molten salt batteries (Na-S battery, liquid metal battery, ZEBRA battery, etc.) have received more and more attention as large-scale electrical storage technology. However, the high operating temperature of molten salt batteries is still one of the roadblocks that impeded their practical application. Here we present the novel Ni-graphite molten salt battery based on outstanding electrochemical reversibility of the Ni/NiCl 2 redox and intercalation/de-intercalation chemistry of chloroaluminate anions in graphite. By using the low-cost, quaternary inorganic molten salt AlCl 3 /KCl/NaCl/LiCl as electrolyte, the as-designed Ni-graphite battery possesses low operating temperature of 95 °C, and average voltage about 1.7 V. The Ni-graphite battery delivers stable specific capacity of 174 mAh/g at 500 mA/g after 120 cycles, with the capacity retention rate of 98%. In addition, the Ni-graphite battery also shows low material costs about 113.6 $/kWh and high electrode energy density of 289 Wh/kg. This work develops an advanced molten salt battery with low operating temperature and high energy density, as well as provides an alternative means of developing future large-scale power storage equipment based on molten salt batteries.