Work

Study of Am electrodeposition from AmCl3-LiCl-KCl Molten Salt

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: In this work, the electrodeposition reaction of Am in AmCl3-LiCl-KCl molten salt was studied using voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Electrodeposition of Am was shown to proceed via a two − step reaction scheme, involving the one-electron transfer reduction of Am3+ to Am2+, followed by the two-electron transfer reduction of intermediate Am2+ to Am0. A low Coulombic efficiency of Am deposition was measured despite the Am deposition occurring within the thermodynamic stability window of the supporting LiCl-KCl electrolyte. We hypothesize that the low efficiency is due to out-diffusion of the intermediate Am2+ species away from the electrode surface. Experimental observations provide evidence of a kinetically − limited electrodeposition reaction, which allows for the loss of intermediate Am2+ via diffusion leading to Am deposition inefficiency.

Source: Journal of The Electrochemical Society

DOI: 10.1149/1945-7111/ad80d2

Authors: Bethany Dean-Kersten, Krista Hawthorne, Mark Williamson, Rohan Akolkar, Christine E. Duval

Language: English

Topic: Molten salt chemistry and electrochemical processes

Subfield: Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes

Field: Chemical Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $1,855

Funders: Nuclear Energy University Program, Argonne National Laboratory

Awards: G107546177, G5833202218