Estimation of the composition of intermetallic compounds in LiCl–KCl molten salt by cyclic voltammetry

Abstract

In this work, the compositions of Ce–Al, Er–Al and La–Bi intermetallic compounds were estimated by the cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique. At first, CV measurements were carried out at different reverse potentials to study the co-reduction processes of Ce–Al, Er–Al and La–Bi systems. The CV curves obtained were then re-plotted with the current as a function of time, and the coulomb number of each peak was calculated. By comparing the coulomb number of the related peaks, the compositions of the Ce–Al, Er–Al and La–Bi intermetallic compounds formed in the co-reduction process could be estimated. The results showed that Al₁₁Ce₃, Al₃Ce, Al₂Ce and AlCe could be formed by the co-reduction of Ce(III) and Al(III). For the co-reduction of Er(III) and Al(III), Al₃Er₂, Al₂Er and AlEr were formed. In a La(III) and Bi(III) co-existing system in LiCl–KCl melts, LaBi₂, LaBi and Li₃Bi were the major products as a result of co-reduction.