Electrodeposition of magnesium-yttrium alloys by molten salt electrolysis

Electrodeposition of magnesium-yttrium alloys from molten salts was studied by electrochemical techniques. LiF-YF3 was electrolyte system with magnesium oxide and Yttrium oxide as raw materials. It was proved that Mg2+ and Y3+was deposited more prior than other ions during cyclic voltammetry and potential step measurement at 1050 °C. Voltammograms showed Mg2+ could be deposited at −0.5 V, and Y3+ could be deposited at −0.7 V on tungsten electrode compared with platinum electrode. The sedimentation of Mg2+ was more positive about 230 mV than that of other ions in electrolyte. The electrolytic codeposition of yttrium and magnesium was 0.58 V on condition that the weight ratio of Y2O3/MgO was 4:1. Chronopotentiogram indicated that the process of electrodeposition of magnesium-yttrium alloys on tungsten electrode was controlled by diffusion of ions from electrolyte to electrode interface. It was feasible to prepare Magnesium-Yttrium alloys by controlling content of ions in molten salt electrolyte.