Electrodeposition of Nb-Al Alloy from Ambient-Temperature Molten Salt Electrolytes

An investigation has been conducted into the deposition of Nb-Al alloy from ambient-temperature molten salt electrolytes of AlCl3-NbCl5-BPC and AlCl3-Nb3Cl8-BPC. The results obtained are as follows. (1) An Nb-Al alloy deposit was obtained from an AlCl3-NbCl5-BPC melt of low NbCl5 content. (2) The valence of the Nb (V) ion in the melt was reduced by the addition of Al powder. In this case, an Nb-Al alloy deposit was obtained from melts with a higher NbCl5 content than in (1) above. (3) An Nb-Al alloy of 29.3wt% Nb was deposited from a 1.0AlCl3-0.90NbCl5-1.0BPC melt with Al powder (3.0wt%) and 50vol% toluene at 40mA/cm2 and 90°C. (4) An Nb-Al alloy of 23.8wt% Nb was deposited from a 1.3AlCl3 -0.07Nb3Cl8-1.0BPC melt at 10mA/cm2 and 140°C.