Determination and Comparison of Parameters from Cyclic Voltammetry of LaCl3 in Eutectic LiCl-KCl

Abstract

Electrochemical measurements of LaCl3 were obtained in eutectic LiCl-KCl at 773 K. Cyclic voltammetry data were acquired using a tungsten electrode LaCl3 amounts in the molten salt in the range of 0.5 to 3.0 wt%. Both cyclic voltammetry and Tafel analyses of the data resulted in calculation of values for the charge transfer coefficient (0.262), diffusion coefficient (1.67 × 10-5 cm2 s-1), exchange current density (0.0148 to 0.0473 A cm-2), and charge transfer resistance (0.404 to 1.99 Ω) related to lanthanum ions in the molten salt. Calculated values were compared to those available in the literature. The values of parameters found in literature varied significantly in comparison to those in the present study due to dissimilar experimental conditions, e.g., electrode material, temperature, and LaCl3 concentration.