Cathode processes and uranium electrochemical extraction on W and Ga electrodes in LiCl–KCl melt

Abstract

The electrochemical and thermodynamic properties of uranium compounds were studied in molten ultra-pure LiCl–KCl eutectic at 723–823 K on inert W and reactive Ga electrodes by different electrochemical techniques. The mechanism of the cathode reaction was determined and the diffusion coefficients of U(III) complex ions were calculated for reversible and irreversible systems. The deposition of uranium(III) on reactive Ga electrode was proceeded with depolarization and accompanied by the formation of intermetallic compounds. The conditions of the alloy formation via potentiostatic electrolysis were found. Thermodynamic properties of UCl₃ and UGa₃ were calculated.

Graphical abstract