ISSN 1017-2548(Print)
ISSN 2234-8530(Online)
Volume 18, Number 6
JKCSEZ 18(6)
December 20, 1974 

Steady-state anodic and cathodic polarization curves were developed for the Al electrode in 60 mole % AlCl3-40 mole % NaCl at 180℃(453˚K). Ohmic resistance contributed substantially to the anodic polarization at current densities greater than 50 mA/cm2 even with capillary tip placed close to the electrode. This could not be rationalized from the resistivity of the melt, which would lead to a much smaller polarization. It was therefore concluded that a layer of high resistance AlCl3 (or AlCl3-rich melt) formed close to the anode surface. From the IR-corrected anodic Tafel and Allen-Hickling plots an apparent anodic charge-transfer coefficient of αa = (2.3 RT/F)(d log i/dη) = 1.5±0.25 was obtained. At cathodic current densities greater than approximately 30 mA/cm2, slow ion diffusion and dendrite growth both interfered with the measurement of kinetic parameters.