Cathodic processes in molten alkali metal carbonates

Cathodic processes in noble Au, Pt and electrochemically negative Al, Zr metals in alkali metal carbonate eutectic mixtures under 600-800 C are studied. The effect of melt cation composition and of the atmosphere above it CO2, CO2+1/2O)2, He on the sequence of cathodic reactions is studied. The preliminary cathodic treatment of electrodes is shown to affect essentially the intensity of subsequent anode processes x-ray phase analysis of zirconium electrode surface following the cathodic polarization showed partial reduction of ZrO2 up to Zr3O and at helium atmosphere occurrence of ZrC in lithium and sodium carbonate melt and Na2ZrO3 in potassium and lithium carbonate melt. Refs. 14, figs. 8; tabs. 1