Abstract
The electrochemical reduction of hafnium tetrachloride has been studied in molten equimolar 
from 700 to 900°C. Using voltammetry on a tungsten electrode, only the + IV and 0 oxidation states of Hf have been shown to exist in the electrolyte. Convolution analysis has permitted calculation of the diffusion coefficients, and shown that the exchange was quasi‐reversible at 700 and 800°C, but reversible at 900°C. Fluoride additions led to a more stable fluoro‐complex
, which was reduced in a single step to metallic hafnium. The exchange was shown to be reversible, and the diffusion coefficients were determined, in the 700 to 900°C temperature range.