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What technical challenges limit direct electrowinning of titanium?

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A periodic table element tile for titanium displays its atomic number 22, symbol Ti, atomic weight 47.867, electron configuration, and name. Icons indicate it is a solid, transition metal with a hexagonal crystal structure and equal relative strength. — titanium Properties of titanium.

Direct electrowinning of titanium from titanium tetrachloride ( ${TiCl}_{4}$ ) in fused chloride salt baths is a potential method for simplifying metal production, but it currently faces significant technical and economic hurdles.1

The primary challenges include:

High-melting-point salts: The process requires the use of salts with high melting points, which complicates operational requirements.1
Inert environment: Maintaining a strictly inert atmosphere is essential to prevent contamination by air or moisture, as titanium is highly reactive toward oxygen and nitrogen at elevated temperatures.123

Overcoming these obstacles is necessary for the process to achieve commercial viability.1