Application of Binary Ga–Al Alloy Cathode in U Separation from Ce: The Possibility in Pyroprocessing of Spent Nuclear Fuel. (1st September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Da-Wei; Liu, Ya-Lan; Yin, Tai-Qi; Jiang, Shi-Lin; Zhong, Yu-Ke; Wang, Lin; Li, Mei; Chai, Zhi-Fang; Shi, Wei-Qun
• Is Part Of: Electrochimica acta. Volume 353(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-09-01
• Subjects: Pyroprocessing -- Ga–Al alloy Electrode -- Separation -- U (III) -- LiCl–KCl eutectic; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; Electrochemistry, Industrial -- Periodicals; 541.37
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2020.136449
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4686

Abstract

Abstract: To study the application perspectives of binary Ga–Al alloy electrodes in pyroprocessing, the utilization of Ga–Al alloy electrode for the separation of U from Ce was studied in this work. Specifically, the reduction behaviors of U (III) on Ga, Al and Ga–Al alloy electrodes was first explored in LiCl–KCl eutectic at 773 K. The cathode peak potential of U (III) at the Ga–Al alloy electrode was 0.44 V (vs. Li/Li3 Bi), and less affected by the Ga/Al ratio. Moreover, potentiostatic electrolysis at 0.55 V (vs. Li/Li3 Bi) was conducted on the Ga–Al alloy electrode for 4 h to separate U from Ce. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicated the co-existence of Al3 U and Ga3 U with an identical crystal structure in the deposits. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) illustrated a good diffusion of U metal in Ga–Al alloy electrodes. Inductive coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) determinations exhibited an excellent separation performance of the Ga–Al alloy electrode.