11126-30-0Relevant academic research and scientific papers
Zirconium Behavior in Molten LiCl-KCL Eutectic
Sakamura, Yoshiharu
, p. C187-C193 (2004)
Some oxidation states (0, +1, +2, and +4) of zirconium exist in a LiCl-KCl eutectic system over the temperature range 450-550°C, and the behavior is complicated. In cyclic voltammograms at 500°C, a cathodic peak was observed at about -1.2 V vs. Ag/AgCl reference electrode, which might be due to the reduction of Zr(IV) to ZrCl and zirconium metal. Two anodic peaks might correspond to the oxidation of ZrCl and zirconium metal, respectively. The electrolysis at a cathode potential of about -1.1 V yielded a nodular deposit identified as ZrCl, which appeared to be a metastable compound in this system. When the potential was sufficiently negative (i.e., 3Zr was obtained. The collection efficiency of zirconium is improved using cadmium because the adhesion of the intermetallic compound was much better. Zirconium metal reacted with Zr(IV) to give Zr(II) whose solution was light brown, and Zr(II) was easily disproportionated into Zr(IV) and zirconium metal. The anodic dissolution test indicated that the zirconium metal primarily dissolved into the electrolyte salt as Zr(IV). The Zr(II)/Zr(IV) ratio seemed to be very low and to increase with increasing temperature.
