Titanium metal production via molten salt electrolysis of TiO2 using the NaF-K2TiF6 system under vacuum

The potential for the preparation of titanium metal through molten salt electrolysis is significant. However, the conventional process of molten salt electrolysis uses chloride molten salt as the electrolyte, which has low solubility for titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ). This paper introduces an innovative approach using a NaF-K 2 TiF 6 system as the molten salt electrolyte, which offered high solubility for TiO 2 . The solubility and dissolution behavior of TiO 2 in NaF-K 2 TiF 6 were analyzed carbon, oxygen and nitrogen analysis (LECO), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and high-temperature Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). By optimizing the electrolysis temperature, cathode current density, and electrolysis time, titanium metal was successfully prepared, and impurities were removed through water washing and salt washing to obtain pure sponge-like titanium powder. Focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) analysis revealed that the titanium purity and oxygen content were consistent across both the surface and interior of the powder, thereby indicating effective prevention of oxidation in a vacuum argon (Ar) environment. This method offers the possibility of continuous production of titanium metal through molten salt electrolysis.