Electrochemical deoxidation behavior of Gd2O3-Fe2O3 oxides in LiCl and CaCl2 melts

Gd2O3, a rare-earth oxide, is difficult to reduce because of its high thermodynamic stability. In the present study, the electrochemical reduction of Gd2O3 was attempted in the presence of less stable oxide, Fe2O3, in molten LiCl and CaCl2 melts at 650 and 900 °C, respectively. Gd2O3-Fe2O3 oxide precursor was electrochemically reduced by the FFC Cambridge process for the preparation of Gd2Fe17 and GdFe2 intermetallic compounds. The reduction mechanism was established using X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscope–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy studies. The study indicated the feasibility of Gd2Fe17 and GdFe2 preparation from its oxide precursors in CaCl2 melt at 900 °C. However, the electrochemical reduction of Gd2O3-Fe2O3 to Gd2Fe17 was found to be not feasible in LiCl melt at 650 °C.