Electrochemical Properties of Uranium and Zirconium on Solid and Liquid Electrodes in 3LiCl–2KCl Based Melts

Abstract

Electrochemical properties of uranium and zirconium in 3LiCl–2KCl eutectic based melts on solid and liquid cathodes were studied employing cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry at 550–750 oC. Reduction of U(III) is a single step process. Reduction of Zr(IV) is a two-step process that includes reduction of Zr(IV) to Zr(II), and Zr(II) to Zr(0). Deposition potential values of uranium and zirconium on solid (W) and liquid (Ga, In, Sn, Zn, and their alloys) cathodes were determined. Deposition potentials of uranium on all types of the cathodes were more negative than those of zirconium. This difference can be used for separating uranium from zirconium in the pyrochemical technology of spent nuclear fuel reprocessing.