Electrochemical behavior of zirconium in molten NaCl-KCl-K2ZrF6 system

The electrochemical reduction of Zr4+ (complex) ions in NaCl-KCl-K2ZrF6 molten salt on Pt electrode was investigated using cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry at 1023 K. Two cathodic reduction peaks related to Zr4+/Zr2+ and Zr2+/Zr steps were observed in the cyclic voltammograms. The result was also confirmed by square wave voltammetry. The diffusion coefficient of Zr4+ (complex) ions at 1023 K in NaCl-KCl-K2ZrF6 melt, measured by cyclic voltammetry, is about 4.22×10−6 cm2/s. The characterization of the deposits obtained by potentiostatic electrolysis at different potentials was investigated by XRD, and the results were well consistent with the electrochemical reduction mechanism of Zr4+ (complex) ions