MECHANISM OF THE CATHODIC REDUCTION OF COPPER(II) OXIDE IN MOLTEN LITHIUM-CHLORIDE POTASSIUM-CHLORIDE EUTETIC

A comparative assessment is made of the electrochemical behavior of copper(II) oxide in eutectic LiCl-KCl melt using working electrodes prepared by different methods. Experimental results show that the chemical interaction of cathodes (whether heat-treated or not) with the melt leads to a decrease in total discharge capacity of the CuO during their full reduction to metallic copper. The specific capacity decreases with increasing residence time of the cathodes in the melt before the current is drawn. In contrast to heat-treated pressed CuO electrodes, the film-type electrodes at all temperatures reveal a step c (or current peak c) involving univalent copper oxide.