Preparation of NdNi5 using an electrochemical reduction of a NiO–Nd2O3 mixture in molten LiCl

The NdNi5 alloy was prepared via a direct electrochemical reduction of a solid mixture of NiO–Nd2O3 in molten LiCl. The effect of the cell voltage, reaction temperature, and mixture composition on the electrolysis has been determined in terms of the reducibility of Nd2O3. The reduction of the oxide mixture begins with the reduction of NiO to Ni, followed by the reduction of Nd2O3 on the pre-formed Ni particles to form the intermetallic NdNi5. The content of NiO in a NiO–Nd2O3 pellet is important in order to achieve a high reduction degree in the oxide mixture.