This paper reviews advances in electrolytic methods for alloy preparation, with a focus on three primary techniques: aqueous electrolysis, molten salt electrolysis, and ionic liquid electrolysis. Recognized for cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits, aqueous electrolysis is widely employed for the deposition and alloying of metals with relatively positive reduction potentials (e.g., Cu, Ni, Sn, Zn). Molten salt electrolysis offers straightforward operation and a wide electrochemical window, making it particularly suitable for synthesizing high-melting-point and highly reactive metals and their alloys, including aluminum and titanium alloys. Ionic liquid electrolysis offers a broad electrochemical window and can be conducted at low temperatures, enabling the preparation of complex multicomponent alloys. Additionally, postelectrolytic heat treatment plays a crucial role in enhancing the microstructural and mechanical properties of the alloys. The incorporation of advanced four-dimensional (4D) visualization techniques further provides dynamic insights into microstructural evolution during electrodeposition, offering valuable guidance for the optimization of electrochemical processes and the design of novel alloy materials.
Xu et al. (Mon,) studied this question.