Abstract
Neodymium was electrochemically deposited from NdF3–LiF–Nd2O3 molten salt electrolyte onto the Mo electrode at temperatures close to 1273 K. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry measurements were the applied electrochemical methods. Metallic neodymium is obtained by potentiostatic deposition. The optical microscopy and XRD were used to analyze the electrolyte, the working electrode surface, and the deposit on the electrode. It was established that Nd(III) ions were reduced to Nd metals in two steps: Nd(III) + e− → Nd(II) at potential ≈−0.55 V vs. W and Nd(II) + 2e− → Nd(0) at ≈−0.83 V vs. W. Both of these processes are reversible and under mass transfer control. Upon deposition under the regime of relatively small deposition overpotential of −0.10 V to −0.20 V, and after the electrolyte was cooled off, Nd metal was observed at the surface of the Mo electrode. CO and CF4 were gases registered as being evolved at the anode. CO and CF4 evolution were observed in quantities below 600 ppm and 10 ppm, respectively.
Highlights
Rare earth metals are increasing in importance, in the production of permanent magnets, energy, high technology, and electronic devices [1,2,3,4]
Rare earths, known as a neutron poisons, made up almost a quarter of the fission products in spent nuclear fuel [2]. Recycling of this waste can result in recovery of rare earth metals, including neodymium, a metal which constitutes roughly one third of rare earths [2]
Cyclic voltammogramswere were recorded on a molybdenum in the Cyclic voltammograms firstfirst recorded on a molybdenum workingworking electrodeelectrode in the electrolyte electrolyte made of NdF3–LiF molten salt mixture
Summary
Rare earth metals are increasing in importance, in the production of permanent magnets, energy, high technology, and electronic devices [1,2,3,4]. Due to their rare occurrence in nature and the difficulties encountered in extracting and refining them, rare earth metals are expensive. Rare earths, known as a neutron poisons, made up almost a quarter of the fission products in spent nuclear fuel [2] Recycling of this waste can result in recovery of rare earth metals, including neodymium, a metal which constitutes roughly one third of rare earths [2]. It was confirmed that electrolytic production and refining are promising techniques for achieving energy-efficient recovery of rare earth elements [3]
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