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Electrochemical behavior of zirconium in molten NaCl-KCl-K2ZrF6 system

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Abstract

The electrochemical reduction of Zr4+ (complex) ions in NaCl-KCl-K2ZrF6 molten salt on Pt electrode was investigated using cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry at 1023 K. Two cathodic reduction peaks related to Zr4+/Zr2+ and Zr2+/Zr steps were observed in the cyclic voltammograms. The result was also confirmed by square wave voltammetry. The diffusion coefficient of Zr4+ (complex) ions at 1023 K in NaCl-KCl-K2ZrF6 melt, measured by cyclic voltammetry, is about 4.22×10−6 cm2/s. The characterization of the deposits obtained by potentiostatic electrolysis at different potentials was investigated by XRD, and the results were well consistent with the electrochemical reduction mechanism of Zr4+ (complex) ions

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Correspondence to Lijun Wang.

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Wu, Y., Xu, Z., Chen, S. et al. Electrochemical behavior of zirconium in molten NaCl-KCl-K2ZrF6 system. Rare Metals 30, 8–13 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12598-011-0187-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12598-011-0187-7

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