An Electrochemical Study of Divalent Ytterbium Species in NaCl–KCl and NaCl–KCl–CsCl Based Melts

Abstract

Reduction of Yb(III) to Yb(II) species was investigated in NaCl–KCl and 6NaCl–9KCl–5CsCl melts at 700–850 and 550–850 oC, respectively. Reduction was performed using hydrogen as a reducing agent or employing potentiostatic electrolysis under hydrogen atmosphere. Stability of Yb(II) ions in chloride melts was assessed and Yb(II)/Yb(III) red-ox potentials were determined.