ABSTRACT
The matter contained in this chapter on electrometallurgy of molybdenum is truly illustrative of all the aspects of fused-salt electrolysis. As electrolysis proceeds, the more volatile components are depleted gradually and alter the physicochemical properties of the electrolyte. The chapter describes the chemical fundamentals pertaining to electrolytes, solutes, and cell reactions in molten-salt electrolysis and the types of electrolysis cells used. Emphasis has been laid on the basic physicochemical and electrochemical factors relevant to molten-salt electrometallurgical practices. The high specific conductances of fused salts constitute a major factor in making this class of liquids attractive media for electrowinning, particularly with regard to metals that are more electropositive than manganese and cannot be electrodeposited from aqueous solutions. Besides ionic conductivity, there are many other aspects of electrolytes which merit consideration. The temperature limits are set at the lower end by the liquidus temperature of the carrier electrolyte or the solvent and the solubility of the functional electrolyte or the solute.
