Electrochemical Properties and Analyses of CeCl₃in LiCl-KCl Eutectic Salt

Thermodynamic and electrochemical properties of cerium in LiCl-KCl eutectic salt have been measured and studied at different concentrations (0.5 – 4 wt%) and temperatures (698 K – 798 K) via both cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques as a part of developing a fundamental understanding and methodology in materials detection and accountability for pyroprocessing technology. CV experiments were performed to determine the diffusion coefficient and apparent standard potential of CeCl 3 on the tungsten working electrode. The diffusion coefficient was calculated by using Delahay equation, and raging from 0.48 × 10 −5 to 1.01 × 10 −5 cm 2 s −1 . Results reveal that the calculated diffusion coefficient of CeCl 3 in the salt follows the Arrhenius temperature relationship and it is weakly affected by the changes in concentration of CeCl 3 . The apparent standard potentials were calculated from peak potentials showing linear relationship with temperature. Exchange current density values of Ce 3+ /Ce couple in the salt were obtained from EIS experiments, ranging from 0.0076 A cm −2 to 0.18 A cm −2 . The results indicate that these values follow Arrhenius temperature dependence and increase when CeCl 3 concentration increases.