Synthesis of Ti powders with different morphologies via controlling the valence state of the titanium ion in KCl-NaCl molten salt

In this paper, low-valent titanium ions were prepared by a redox reaction between TiCl4 and a titanium sponge. After kdissolving the precursors in NaCl-KCl mixed molten salt, the electrochemical behaviours of Ti(III) and Ti(II) ions in the NaCl-KCl molten salt system were studied by cyclic voltammetry at 750 degrees C on a Mo electrode. The valence state of titanium ion in molten salt was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and the microstructure of the titanium powder was characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The main findings are that the titanium powder with a small particle size and coralloid shape was obtained via the production of a complex of Ti(III) and halogen elements, followed by a one-step reduction. However, the titanium powder prepared by the one-step reduction of Ti(II) had a large particle size and was dense.