Zirconium Behavior in Molten LiCl-KCl Eutectic

Abstract

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.,