Electroreduction of cerium ions on silver electrode in halide melts at 973 K

The mechanism of electroreduction of cerium ions in equimolar KCl-NaCl melt is explored at 973 K. The effect of the anionic composition of the melt on the electroreduction of cerium ions is studied. It is shown that the electrodeposition of metal cerium from halide melts on a silver electrode is the primary electrochemical process that occurs at potentials more positive than those corresponding to the supporting-electrolyte decomposition. The electroreduction of chloride complexes of cerium on a silver electrode in the melt in both steady-and non-steady-state polarization modes at rates below V ≤ 0.5 V/s is limited by the diffusion delivery; at higher polarization rates, the charge-transfer stage predominates.