On the Electrochemical Reduction Mechanism of CaWO4 to W Powder

The reduction mechanism of CaWO4 to W in molten eutectic CaCl2-NaCl electrolyte has been studied. Cyclic voltammetry and constant potential electrolysis tests were performed to determine the reversible cell potential. Analyses of the experimental results revealed that at least 2.2 V was required to compensate the potentials for the accompanying cell reaction and the electrode polarizations. A cell reaction was proposed by associating the experimental results and the Gibbs energy changes of the possible reactions.