Gha-Young Kim1,2*, Jiseon Shin1, Tack-Jin Kim1,2, Jung-Sik Shin1, and Seungwoo Paek1,2
1Nuclear Fuel Cycle Process Development Division, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute,
Daedoek-daero 989-111, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34057, Republic of Korea
2Korea University of Science and Technology, 217 Gajungro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
The performance of Li-B alloy as anode for molten salt electrolysis was firstly
investigated. The crystalline phase of the prepared Li-B alloy was identified as Li7B6. The
potential profile of Li-B alloy anode was monitored during the electrodeposition of Nd3+ onto
an LCC (liquid cadmium cathode) in molten LiCl-KCl salt at 500oC. The potential of Li-B
alloy was increased from -2.0 V to -1.4 V vs. Ag/AgCl by increasing the applied current from
10 to 50 mA·cm-2. It was found that not only the anodic dissolution of Li to Li+ but also
the dissolution of the atomic lithium (Li0) into the LiCl-KCl eutectic salt was observed, following
the concomitant reduction of Nd3+ by the Li0 in Li-B alloy. It was expected that the
direct reduction could be restrained by maintaining the anode potential higher that the deposition
potential of neodymium.
Keyword : Li-B alloy, anodic dissolution, spontaneous reaction, LiCl-KCl molten salt