Electrosynthesis of Titanium from High-Titanium Slag with Short-Process in Molten CaCl₂

Titanium metal was successfully prepared from high-titanium slag via an electro-deoxidation process in molten CaCl₂ melt in argon. The effects of sintering and electrolysis temperatures on the electro-deoxidation process were investigated. The results show that the porosity of the pellet decreases rapidly with the increase of sintering temperature, which reduces the available surface area between the pellet and the electrolyte, thus affecting the electro-deoxidation reaction. Electrolysis temperature affects the purity and particle size of the product. Excessive temperature causes the product re-sintering, which densifies the product particles and prevents the molten salt from entering the inside of the cathode, which is adverse to the electro-reduction of TiO₂ to Ti. A moderate electrolysis temperature is more favorable for the electro-deoxidation reaction. Most of the impurities in the raw material move into the molten salt, and a few impurities attached to the product are removed by washing with hydrochloric acid solution.