Investigating liquid Al electrodes for Ce(III) extraction from LiCl–KCl melts: a kinetic and thermodynamic study

Abstract

Electrochemical, kinetic and thermodynamic properties of Ce(III) in LiCl–KCl melts were studied on both Mo and liquid Al electrodes using different electrochemical techniques. The results revealed that the reduction of Ce(III) on the Mo electrode followed a quasi-reversible process consisting of a one-step transfer of three electrons, while an irreversible process was recorded on the liquid Al electrode. Ce was successfully extracted by liquid Al electrode from LiCl–KCl melt by potentiostatic electrolysis. This work might open new avenues for the use of liquid Al electrodes for efficient extraction of lanthanides and actinides from molten salt.