Electrochemistry and the mechanisms of nucleation and growth of neodymium during electroreduction from LiCl-KCl eutectic salts on Mo substrate

The nucleation mechanisms of neodymium metal deposited on a Mo substrate were predicted by using Scharifker-Hill model, and tested for the first time by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies of the electrode surface. The SEM studies confirmed that for the low initial concentration of NdCl3, neodymium nucleates and grows progressively, while for higher NdCl3 concentrations, the related mechanism is instantaneous. Both are governed by the aggregative growth mechanisms based on surface mobility of formed nanoclusters.