Investigations of Zr(IV) in LiF-CaF2: stability with oxide ions and electroreduction pathway on inert and reactive electrodes

Mathieu Gibilaro (1) , Laurent Massot (1) , Pierre Chamelot (1) , Laurent Cassayre (1) , Pierre Taxil (1)

1 LGC - Laboratoire de Génie Chimique

In this work, a detailed electrochemical study of the molten LiF-CaF2-ZrF4 system is provided in the 810-920°C temperature range, allowing the determination of the reduction potential, the diffusion coefficient and the reduction mechanism of dissolved Zr(IV) on an inert Ta electrode. Addition of CaO in the molten salt is shown to cause Zr(IV) precipitation into a mixture of solid compounds, most likely ZrO2 and ZrO1.3F1.4. Underpotential deposition of Zr on Cu and Ni electrodes is also evidenced.

Mots clés: Electrochemistry; Zirconium; Molten fluoride; Zirconium oxifluorides; Zr-Cu intermetallic compounds

Domaines: Génie chimique

Mathieu Gibilaro, Laurent Massot, Pierre Chamelot, Laurent Cassayre, Pierre Taxil. Investigations of Zr(IV) in LiF-CaF2: stability with oxide ions and electroreduction pathway on inert and reactive electrodes. Electrochimica Acta, 2013, vol. 95, pp. 185-191. ⟨10.1016/j.electacta.2013.02.022⟩. ⟨hal-00805545⟩