Electrochemical Synthesis of LaSi₂ from a NaCl-Naf-LaF₃-K₂SiF₆ Melt at 1023 K

The aim of this work was to examine the possibility of producing lanthanum silicides by the electrolysis of molten salts, containing lanthanum and silicon ions, on a nickel cathode. The electrochemical behavior of the NaCl–NaF–LaF3-K2SiF6 molten salts system was studied by cyclic voltammetry. The electrolysis was carried out in a NaCl–NaF–LaF3-K2SiF6 melt in a glassy carbon crucible at 1023 K in argon atmosphere; a nickel plate was used as the cathode. Cathodic products were analyzed by X-ray and JEM-2100F SEM. Coatings of lanthanum disilicide were deposited from NaCl-NaF- LaF3-K2SiF6 melts on a Ni cathode at 1023 K in argon atmosphere.