US Patent 10590553 Method of producing metallic tantalum

A method of producing metallic tantalum comprises the steps of providing a precursor comprising a tantalate of a first metal, arranging the precursor material in contact with a molten salt in an electrolytic cell, the electrolysis cell further comprising an anode and a cathode arranged in contact with the molten salt, and applying a potential between the anode and the cathode such that the precursor material is reduced to tantalum. The first metal is an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal. The anode does not comprise a carbon material, which prevents contamination of the tantalum and improves current efficiency of the process.