Electrolysis kinetics of tantalum in sulfuric acid-methanol solution

In order to explore kinetic behaviors of electrolysis of tantalum, the electrolytic polishing of tantalum in sulfuric acid-methanol solution was experimentally studied. The influence of electrolyte composition, cell potential and stirring speed on the thinning speed of tantalum was investigated. And the S.A.Arrhenius activation energy was calculated via altering the reaction temperature. The results show that the polarized behavior of tantalum is consistent with general metal polarization when the volume ratio of sulfuric acid to methanol is 1∶7. For voltage from 10 to 20 V, the thinning speed is around the steady value of 11.45 μm/min when the stirring speed is more than 8 m/s. When the stirring speed is less than 8 m/s, the electrolysis process is controlled by the rate of diffusion, w