Electrode processes and electrochemical formation of Dy-Ga and Dy-Cd alloys in molten LiCl–KCl–CsCl eutectic

Abstract

Molten Dy-Cd/LiCl-KCl-CsCl system. Electromechanical formation of the DyCd 6 intermetallic compound. • Cathodic behavior of dysprosium (III) ions on inert W and active Ga, Cd electrodes in fused LiCl–KCl-CsCl eutectic was studied. • The electrochemical reactions on inert and active electrodes and mode of production of intermetallic compounds were found. The cathodic behavior of Dy(III) ions was studied on W-inert and Ga(Cd)-active electrodes in fused LiCl–KCl–CsCl eutectic at 623–923 K under inert atmosphere by electrochemical and spectroscopy techniques. It was established that the electrochemical reduction process on inert electrode proceeds in one irreversible stage. It was found that the cathodic reactions on active electrodes take place without Dy(II) ion formation, with a large depolarization and formation of the intermetallic compounds. The deposition potentials of metallic Dy and Dy-Ga, Dy-Cd alloys have been established. The mode of production of individual intermetallic compounds and their mixtures were found.