Electrosynthesis of cerium hexaboride by the molten salt technique

摘要

Molten salts are well thought-out as the incredibly promising medium for chemical and electrochemical synthesis of compounds. Hence a stab has been made on the electrochemical synthesis of CeB_6 using molten salt technique. The electrolyte consisted of lithium fluoride (LiF), boron trioxide (B_2O_3) and cerium chloride (CeCl_3). Electrochemical experiments were carried out in an inconal reactor in an argon atmosphere. Electrolysis was executed in a high-density graphite crucible, which doles out as the electrolyte clutching vessel as well as the anode. The cathode was made up of a molybdenum rod. The electrolysis was carried out at 900 ℃ at different current densities intended for the synthesis of CeB_6 crystals. After the electrolysis, the cathode product was removed and cleaned using dilute HC1 solution. The crystals were scrutinized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) to make out the phase and the purity. It has been observed that CeB_6 crystals are synthesized at all current densities and the product has traces of impurities.