Advances of electro-deposition and aluminum refining of aluminum and aluminum alloy in ionic liquid electrolytes system

Traditionally, most active metals, such as aluminum, rare earth metals and alkali metals, are obtained by electrolysis process in molten salt at high temperature, which involves high energy consumption. Recently, with the further research of the ionic liquids, the production of aluminum, aluminum alloys and aluminum refining in the ionic liquids electrolyte system have been put forward. The research states and progress of electro -deposition of aluminum and aluminum alloys, recycling of aluminum from crude aluminum, aluminum alloys and aluminum matrix composite by aluminum electro-refining in the ionic liquids electrolyte system are reviewed in this paper. The application and development of ionic liquids for aluminum electro-deposition and electro-refining are introduced and evaluated. The trend of development and research of the application of ionic liquid electrolytes to aluminum industry are discussed.