Duplex Mechanism of TiC Formation and Ti Dissolution Behavior in KCl-LiCl Molten Salt

In the present investigation, an attempt was made to evaluate the dissolution behavior of Ti in molten KCl-LiCl. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of heated Ti plate at ۸۰۰ oC for ۴ h without carbon black in molten salt revealed that TiCl۳ formation was feasible. For more assurance, Ti plate was heated at ۹۵۰ oC for ۴ h in the presence of carbon black to identify synthesized TiC. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images from precursors and the final product showed that nano-crystalline TiC formation from coarse Ti particles was almost impossible without Ti dissolution. Thermodynamics calculations using Factsage software proved that it was possible to form various TiClx compounds. The TiC formation mechanism can be discussed in two possible ways: a reaction between Ti ion and carbon black for synthesizing TiC (direct) and a reaction between TiCl۴ and carbon black led to indirect TiC synthesis. Elemental mapping using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope (EDS) indicated that up to ۸۱۵ oC, chlorine existed in the map.

کلیدواژه ها:

molten salt synthesis ، Ti dissolution ، mechanism ، TiC