Physicochemical properties of lanthanide and yttrium solutions in fused salts and alloy formation with nickel

The thermodynamic and kinetic properties of solutions of lanthanide (lantha num, cerium, praseodymium, gadolinium) and yttrium chlorides in fused alkal i chlorides were obtained from transient electrochemical techniques. Digita l simulation was used to obtain a precise analysis of transient responses i ncluding perturbing factors such as ohmic drop, electrocrystallization, and reduction of alkali ions. A fitting procedure, included in the numerical c alculation, allows an accurate determination of reaction parameters, diffus ion coefficients, standard potentials, and covering factor. The technique w as extended to the formation of lanthanum and gadolinium alloys with nickel . (C) 2001 The Electrochemical Society.