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Electrodeposition of the alkali metals from propylene carbonate

Journal of Applied Electrochemistry volume 5, pages 279–290 (1975)Cite this article

Abstract

The alkali metals were electrodeposited from various solutions in propylene carbonate (PC). Li, Na, K, Rb and Cs were electrodeposited from solutions of their chlorides and AlCl3 in propylene carbonate (PC) at ambient temperature. In addition, lithium was deposited from LiCl, LiBr, LiClO4, LiPF6, and LiBF4 solutions in PC. Sodium was reduced from NaClO4, NaPF6, and NaBF4 solutions. Potassium was obtained from KPF6 solution.

A new process is proposed for the production and electrorefining of the alkali metals at ambient temperature. Alkali metal amalgam from the commercial mercury-chlorine cell is transferred into an AlCl3-PC electrorefining cell, where the alkali metal is dissolved anodically from the amalgam, and deposited in a pure form at the cathode.

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Author notes

  1. J. Jorné

    Present address: Department of Chemical Engineering and Material Sciences, Wayne State University, 48202, Detroit, Michigan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Inorganic Materials Research Division, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, 94720, Berkeley, California

    J. Jorné & C. W. Tobias

  2. Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, 94720, Berkeley, California

    J. Jorné & C. W. Tobias

Authors
  1. J. Jorné
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  2. C. W. Tobias
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Jorné, J., Tobias, C.W. Electrodeposition of the alkali metals from propylene carbonate. J Appl Electrochem 5, 279–290 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00608791

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00608791

Keywords

  • Potassium
  • Lithium
  • Propylene
  • Ambient Temperature
  • LiBr