Electrochemical studies with fluoride electrolytes
Although zirconia and thoria-based electrolytes have proved very valuable in the measurement of the thermodynamic properties of many oxide and alloy systems, there are systems for which the use of fluoride electrolytes are preferred. Refractory compounds involving the alkaline earth and rare earth elements can be studied with these electrolytes, but the use of fluoride solid solutions such as SrF2 LaF3 is more convenient experimentally than the pure fluorides. This is because a steady EMF is normally achieved much more rapidly with the solid solutions. Examples are given of the incorporation of oxide, hydride and carbide dispersed phase in the fluoride electrolyte to enable the measurement of the thermodynamic properties of oxides, carbides, hydrides not accessible by the use of oxide electrolytes.