Electrochemical separation study of LaF3 in molten FLiNaK salt

Electrochemical studies of LaF3 in molten FLiNaK salt were performed on inert working electrodes. An additional reduction reaction prior to the decomposition of FLiNaK melt was observed when LaF3 was dissolved in and the reduction product was later recognized as lanthanum metal by SEM analysis. This phenomenon is very surprising and interesting considering the standard reduction potential of La (III) is more cathodic than that of K (I) and Na (I). The present study corrected the previous study [1] and will provide a new insight on the electrochemical and thermodynamic investigation of other lanthanides in molten FLiNaK salt. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.