Electrochimica Acta, Vol.147, 82-86, 2014
Anode processes for Nd electrowinning from LiF-NdF3-Nd2O3 melt
Cyclic voltammetry was applied to characterize oxidation processes of oxygen ions and fluoride ions on a graphite electrode in LiF-NdF3-Nd2O3 melt. The effects of the concentration of Nd2O3, temperature, electrode area on the oxidation of oxygen ions and critical potential have been discussed. Oxidation processes of oxygen ions include adsorption and gas evolution of oxidation products, which is proved by the the smooth and fluctuant cyclic voltammograms. During adsorption process, both the peak current density and the peak potential of oxidation of oxygen ions increase with the increase of Nd2O3 concentration. The peak current density of oxidation of oxygen ions displays a linearity within 2.5wt% Nd2O3 in the melt. The kinetics of the oxidation of oxygen ions is controlled by both electrochemical reaction step and mass transfer. During gas evolution, the oxidation process of oxygen ions is controlled by electrochemical reaction step. Oxidation of flouride ions starts from the critical potential. The critical potential by reverse scan is independent of the electrode area, but depends on electrode area by positive scan. Increasing temperature causes significantly increased the adsoprtion current density for oxidation of oxygen ions. At 950 degrees C, after the critical potential relatively big current peaks involving formaiton of perflouride compounds occurs after the cirtical potential. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.