Electrolytic production of NF3 with a LiNiO2 coated nickel sheet anode prepared by atmospheric plasma spraying technique

A nickel sheet coated with LiNiO₂ powder having average particle sizes of 40 and 50 μm in diameter by atmospheric plasma spraying technique was employed as the anode for electrolytic production of NF₃. In electrolysis of a molten NH₄F·2HF at 100 °C and 25 mA cm^?2, the anode gas generated at the LiNiO₂ coated Ni sheet anode was composed of N₂, O₂, NF₃, N₂F₂, N₂F₄, and N₂O, and its composition was almost the same as that at the Ni sheet anode. The current efficiency for the NF₃ formation on the LiNiO₂ coated Ni sheet anode was increased to reach the constant value of ca. 55% during electrolysis for 100 h, and it was almost the same as that on the Ni sheet anode. The anode consumption of the LiNiO₂ coated Ni sheet was small compared with that of the Ni sheet. Also, the oxygen content in the oxidized layer formed on the LiNiO₂ coated Ni sheet anode was high compared with that on the Ni sheet anode, and the surface of the LiNiO₂ coated Ni sheet anode was covered with a compact and adhesive film having some defects. Although the bottom of the hollow was covered with a thinner layer, no pore penetrated through the oxidized layer. Hence, the LiNiO₂ coated Ni sheet anode is favorable for the electrolytic production of NF₃, and the oxidized layer on the LiNiO₂ coated Ni sheet anode has the higher resistance to corrosion, because of the compact and adhesive film containing the higher content of oxygen formed on the anode.