Electrodeposition of Lu on W and Al electrodes: Electrochemical formation of Lu–Al alloys and oxoacidity reactions of Lu(III) in the eutectic LiCl–KCl

The electrodeposition of lutetium on inert electrodes and the formation of lutetium–aluminium alloys were investigated in the eutectic LiCl–KCl in the temperature range 673–823 K. On a tungsten electrode, the electroreduction of Lu(III) proceeds in a single step and electrocrystalization plays an important role. Experimental current–time transients are in good agreement with theoretical models based on either instantaneous or progressive nucleation with three dimensional growth of the nuclei, depending on the working temperature. The diffusion coefficient of Lu(III) was determined by chronopotentiometry by applying the Sand equation. The activation energy for diffusion was found to be 31.5 ± 1.3 kJ mol⁻¹. Al₃Lu and mixtures of Al₃Lu and Al₂Lu, characterized by XRD analysis and SEM, were obtained from the LiCl–KCl melt containing Lu(III) by potentiostatic electrolysis using an Al electrode. The activity of Lu and the standard Gibbs energies of formation for Al₃Lu were estimated from open-circuit chronopotentiometric measurements. The E–pO²⁻(potential–oxoacidity) diagram for Lu–O stable compounds in LiCl–KCl at 723 K has been constructed by combining theoretical and experimental data. In this way, the apparent standard potential for the Lu(III)/Lu system has been determined by potentiometry. Potentiometric titrations of Lu(III) solutions with oxide donors, using a yttria stabilized zirconia membrane electrode “YSZME” as a pO²⁻ indicator electrode, have shown the stability of LuOCl and Lu₂O₃ in the melt and their solubility products have been determined at 723 K.