Preparation of CeNi2 intermetallic compound by direct electroreduction of solid CeO2-2NiO in molten LiCl

• Published in: Journal of rare earths 2012-09, Vol.30 (9), p.923-927
• Main Authors: ZHANG, Yu, YIN, Huayi, ZHANG, Shengdong, TANG, Diyong, YUAN, Zhongwei, YAN, Taihong, ZHENG, Weifang, WANG, Dihua
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CeNi2; CeO2; LiCl; molten LiCl; rare earths; solid state electrochemistry; spent nuclear fuel; 固体; 循环伏安法; 熔融; 电解制备; 电解实验; 金属间化合物
• ISSN: 1002-0721; 2509-4963
• DOI: 10.1016/S1002-0721(12)60155-0

Electrochemical reduction of solid CeO2-2NiO to produce CeNi2 was conducted in molten LiCI at 650℃. The electrochemical re- duction behaviors of NiO, CeO2 and their mixture were investigated by cyclic voltammetric measurements. Moreover, a series of electrolysis experiments of different electrolysis cell voltages and electrolysis duration were performed to evaluate the reduction mechanism of the mixed oxides pellet cathode as well as the energy efficiency of the process. Homogeneous CeNi2 was prepared by electrolysis at the constant cell voltage of 3.5 V with a graphite anode. The results demonstrated that the NiO was preferentially reduced to Ni and it subsequently promoted the reduction of CeO〉 The electrolysis energy consumption for preparation of the CeNi2 could be as low as 6.5 kWh/kg-CeNi2.