THERMAL-DECOMPOSITION OF AMMONIUM HEXAFLUOROVANADATE(3)

Vanadium trifluoride, VF//3, is very stable in the air and melts at about 1400 degree C without decomposition. Therefore, if pure vanadium trifuloride is readily prepared, it seems to be possible to produce vanadium metal by electrorefining or electrowinning in a molten salt containing VF//3. To establish the conditions for the preparation of pure VF//3, the synthesis of ammonium hexafluorovanadate(III), (NH//4)//3VF//6, and its thermal decomposition were investigated by thermogravimetric, differential thermal, and x-ray diffraction analyses. Experimental procedures and results are reported.