Cathodic Behaviour of Samarium (III) in LiCl-KCl Melts on Molybdenum and Aluminium Electrodes

The electrochemical behavior of samarium ions was investigated in LiCl-KCl melt at molybdenum and aluminium electrodes using different electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetries, chronopotentiometry and open circuit chronopotentiometry. On Mo electrode the electroreduction process of Sm(III) to Sm(II) is reversible within the electroactive window. The reduction of Sm(II) is not observed in cyclic voltammogram, but it can be reduced on Al electrode by forming Al-Sm alloy. It is an effective approach to extract Sm from spent nuclear fuel.