ABSTRACT
In this paper we show that ionic liquids can be used for the electrodeposition of highly reactive elements, which can not be obtained from aqueous solutions, such as aluminium, magnesium and lithium as well as of refractory metals such as tantalum and titanium. The development of ionic liquids, especially air and water stable ones, has opened the door for the electrodeposition of reactive elements which in the past were only accessible using high temperature molten salts or, in part, organic solvents. Due to their high stability, ionic liquids can be regarded as the missing link to high temperature molten salts. Currently, ionic liquids can not yet replace molten salts in the electrowinning of reactive and refractory metals. Nevertheless, they can be employed efficiently for the coating of other metals with thin layers of tantalum, aluminum and presumably many other ones at reasonable temperatures. From a practical point of view, molten salts are hardly suited for the coating of sensitive materials like NiTi shape memory alloy with other metals since the electrolysis process is performed usually at temperatures above 400 C. With ionic liquids a technical electroplating process might be performed at moderate or even at room temperature