Cambridge Enterprise Limited

Metalysis Limited

Robert Charles Copcutt

Derek Fray

Derek John Fray

George Zheng Chen

The subject invention pertains to methods for processing a solid material (MX) comprising a solid solution of a non-metal species (X) in a metal or semi-metal (M) or a compound between the non-metal species and the metal or semi-metal is immersed in a molten salt (MY). A cathodic potential is applied to the material to remove a portion of the non-metal species by electro-deoxidation. To remove the non-metal species at lower concentrations, a source of a reactive metal (M) is immersed in the molten salt and is electronically connected to the material. Reactions occur at the material, where the non-metal species dissolves in the salt, and at the reactive metal, which reacts with the non-metal species dissolved in the salt to form a reaction product more stable than a compound between the non-metal species and the metal or semi-metal (M). The non-metal species is thus removed from the solid material.

Electrochemical processing of solid materials in fused salt

A method for the production of an intermetallic compound (MZ) involves treating a solid precursor material comprising three or more species, including first and second metal or metalloid species (M, Z) and a non-metal species (X), by electro-deoxidation in contact with a melt comprising a fused salt (MY) under conditions whereby the non-metal species dissolves in the melt. The first and second metal or metalloid species form an intermetallic compound. The method is performed in a cell comprising a cathode of the precursor material (), which is immersed in a melt () contained in a crucible () for electro-deoxidation.

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Cambridge, United Kingdom

Robert Charles Copcutt