Electrolytic reduction of Gd2O3-ZnO in NaCl-CaCl2 Molten Salt

Abstract

The electrochemical behaviors of Gd2O3, ZnO and Gd2O3-ZnO in NaCl-CaCl2 molten salt was studied by cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry, and the corresponding constant potential electrolysis and XRD analysis indicated that the reduction processes were in agreement with the process that 3PI (metal∣oxide∣electrolyte three-phase interline) expanded with time from surface to interior of the cathode. Moreover, the addition of ZnO could promote the electrochemical reduction of Gd2O3. According to the electrochemical behavior (CV) and the characterization (XRD and SEM-EDS) of electrolytic product, the intermetallic compounds, GdZn12, Gd2Zn17 and Gd13Zn58, were generated during the electrolysis of Gd2O3-ZnO cathode without dendritic deposits.