Duplex Mechanism of TiC Formation and Ti Dissolution Behavior in KCl- LiCl Molten Salt

In the present investigation, an attempt was made to evaluate the dissolution behavior of Ti in molten KClLiCl. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of a heated Ti plate at 800 degrees C for 4 h without carbon black in molten salt revealed that TiCl3 formation was feasible. For more assurance, the Ti plate was heated at 950 degrees C for 4 h in the presence of carbon black to identify synthesized TiC. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) images from precursors and the final product showed that nano-crystalline TiC formation from coarse Ti particles was almost impossible without Ti dissolution. Thermodynamics calculations using Factsage software proved that it was possible to form various TiClx compounds. The TiC formation mechanism can be discussed in two possible ways: a reaction between Ti ion and carbon black for synthesizing TiC (direct) and a reaction between TiCl4 and carbon black led to indirect TiC synthesis. Elemental mapping using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope (EDS) indicated that up to 815 degrees C, chlorine existed in the map.