On the electrodeposition of coherent gadolinium dendrites from molten fluoride electrolytes

The morphology of gadolinium dendrites deposited in molten fluorides may be linked with the stability of electroactive associates. Quantum chemical calculations of moieties, based on the solid state structure of GdF₃, reveal an increased overall stabilizing attraction in the following order: $$Gd_{1 - x} Ba_x F_{3 - x}< GdF_3< Gd_{1 - x} F_{3 - 2x} O_x< Gd_{1 - x} Ca_x F_{3 - x} $$ The stabilization of the 75 LiF-25 mol% GdF₃ electrolyte by oxyfluorocomplexes led to the deposition of essentially pure gadolinium dendrites. The fluorine contamination caused by salt inclusions was consequently reduced from the 1,500–2,000 ppm, as obtained in the pure LiF-GdF₃ electrolyte, to less than 3 ppm.