| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2023 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
High Temperature Electrochemistry V
|
| Presentation Title |
On the Separation of Niobium and Tantalum Metals via Molten Sulfide Electrolysis |
| Author(s) |
Charles Boury, Antoine Allanore |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Charles Boury |
| Abstract Scope |
Niobium and tantalum exhibit a wide range of physicochemical similarities, hindering their separation. Coltan is often found over the African continent and consists of a mix of niobium and tantalum oxides. Their actual recovery technologies possess economical bottlenecks while hindering the sustainability of the overall separation process. Herein is proposed a new route for the separation and production of niobium and tantalum metals from their oxides (Nb2O5 and Ta2O5 respectively) via sulfidation and molten sulfide electrolysis. First Nb2O5 and Ta2O5 are sulfidized to NbS2 and TaS2 under specific conditions. These sulfides are then mixed in a barium sulfide (BaS) and lanthanum sulfide (La2S3) supporting electrolyte to selectively recover tantalum metal. Niobium metal recovery is demonstrated in a tantalum free molten sulfide electrolyte. The decomposition behavior of TaS2 and NbS2 is further informed by standard electrochemical techniques and High Amplitude Fourier Transform Alternative Current Voltammetry. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
High-Temperature Materials, Process Technology, Electrometallurgy |