Characteristics of Cryolite as an Electrolyte for Reduction of Nd$_2$O$_3$

네오디뮴 산화물의 전해환원시 전해질로서 빙정석의 특성

An attempt was made to reduce directly Nd2O3 in a cryolited based fluoride bath. Neodymium metal was electrodeposited on the iron cathode to produce the Fe-Nd eutectic alloy in a liquid state at 90$0^{\circ}C$. Graphite was adopted for the anode and pure iron for the cathode. Electrolyte was composed of Na3AlF6 50wt.%. AlF3 34wt.% and Nd2O3 16wt.%. Analysis of typical alloy product showed Al 63.4wt.% Fe 26.9wt.% and Nd 7.0 wt.% The enrichment of neodymium in the alloy couldn't be obtained because aluminum codeposited with ne-odydmium. Experimental results proved that the cryolited based electrolyte was unstable for the electrolysis of rare earth oxides even though their prominent solubilities.