Electrodeposition of Nb-Sn Alloy from SnCl₂–NbCl₅–EMIC Ambient Temperature Molten Salts

Abstract

The electrodeposition of the Nb-Sn alloy from the SnCl₂–NbCl₅–EMIC melt was investigated. From the results of the physical properties and cyclic voltammetry, the possibility of electrodeposition of the Nb-Sn alloy was suggested, which was subsequently obtained from the melt by electrodeposition. However, the Nb content in the deposits was very low. The low Nb content was related to the low limiting current density of Nb. From the results of bath temperature, melt composition and pulse electrolysis for increasing the Nb content in the deposits, the Nb-Sn alloy containing 69.1 wt % Nb was obtained from the 2.8 mol % SnCl₂–68.6 mol % NbCl₅–28.6 mol % EMIC melt at 200 mA cm⁻² with a pulse period of 10 ms, duty ratio of 0.2 at 160 °C.