Abstract: A process of the production of high surface area tantalum and/or niobium powders via the reduction of the corresponding tantalum and/or niobium oxides is disclosed, wherein the reduction is carried out by reacting the tantalum and/or niobium oxides with at least one metal halide selected form the group consisting of halides of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and Ce, and an alkali metal at elevation temperature so as to form the tantalum and/or niobium powders. The process of the present invention has the advantages of: simple operation, the tantalum and/or niobium powders obtained have high surface area, high purity, good flowability, therefore are particularly suitable for manufacturing electrolytic capacitors.

Abstract: A process for the production of high surface area tantalum and/or niobium powders via the reduction of the corresponding tantalum and/or niobium oxides is disclosed, wherein the reduction is carried out by reacting the tantalum and/or niobium oxides with at least one metal halide selected from the group consisting of halides of Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and Ce, and an alkali metal at elevated temperature so as to form the tantalum and/or niobium powders. The process of the present invention has the advantages of: simple operation, the tantalum and/or niobium powders obtained have high surface area, high purity, good flowability, therefore are particularly suitable for manufacturing electrolytic capacitors.