Electrodeposition of the alkali metals from propylene carbonate - Journal of Applied Electrochemistry

The alkali metals were electrodeposited from various solutions in propylene carbonate (PC). Li, Na, K, Rb and Cs were electrodeposited from solutions of their chlorides and AlCl₃ in propylene carbonate (PC) at ambient temperature. In addition, lithium was deposited from LiCl, LiBr, LiClO₄, LiPF₆, and LiBF₄ solutions in PC. Sodium was reduced from NaClO₄, NaPF₆, and NaBF₄ solutions. Potassium was obtained from KPF₆ solution.

A new process is proposed for the production and electrorefining of the alkali metals at ambient temperature. Alkali metal amalgam from the commercial mercury-chlorine cell is transferred into an AlCl₃-PC electrorefining cell, where the alkali metal is dissolved anodically from the amalgam, and deposited in a pure form at the cathode.

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Author notes

1. J. Jorné

   Present address: Department of Chemical Engineering and Material Sciences, Wayne State University, 48202, Detroit, Michigan

Authors and Affiliations

1. Inorganic Materials Research Division, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, 94720, Berkeley, California

   J. Jorné & C. W. Tobias

2. Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, 94720, Berkeley, California

   J. Jorné & C. W. Tobias

Cite this article

Jorné, J., Tobias, C.W. Electrodeposition of the alkali metals from propylene carbonate. J Appl Electrochem 5, 279–290 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00608791

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• Received: 18 June 1974

• Revised: 26 November 1974

• Issue Date: November 1975

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00608791

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