ELECTROWINNING MOLYBDENUM: PRELIMINARY STUDIES
A summary of preliminary research is presented on electrowinning Mo directly from pure or impure Mo trioxide (MoO/sub 3/) by fused-bath electrolysis in an open graphite cell without need of a protective inert atmosphere. A formulated electrolyte of the tertiary system containing 41.6% sodium pyrophosphate, 16.7% sodium tetraborate, 33.3% sodium chloride, and 8.4% molybdenum trioxide, by weight, electrolyzed at lOOO deg C, gave excellent results. Current density studies were made over a range from 20 to 260 amperes per square decimeter. Current efficiencies of 80 to 90% were obtained over the entire range. Yields up to 500 grams of Mo per kilowatt-hour were obtained. Higher current densities, however, reduced yields and produced a finer grained metal. The two most importsnt facets in electrowinning molybdenum from MoO/sub 3/ , in an open cell, are temperature and electrode spacing to minimize or eliminate the formation of the suboxide MoO/sub 2/, the major source of oxygen contamination. At temperatures of lOOO deg C and higher, together with the proper spacing of the electrodes, formation of oxides are practically eliminated. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Bureau of Mines. Reno Metallurgical Research Center, Nev.
- NSA Number:
- NSA-15-021069
- OSTI ID:
- 4065236
- Report Number(s):
- BM-RI-5795
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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