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.