Physicochemical properties of lanthanide and yttrium solutions in fused salts and alloy formation with nickel

The thermodynamic and kinetic properties of solutions of lanthanide (lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, gadolinium) and yttrium chlorides in fused alkali chlorides were obtained from transient electrochemical techniques. Digital simulation was used to obtain a precise analysis of transient responses including perturbing factors such as ohmic drop, electrocrystallization, and reduction of alkali ions. A fitting procedure, included in the numerical calculation, allows an accurate determination of reaction parameters, diffusion coefficients, standard potentials, and covering factor. The technique was extended to the formation of lanthanum and gadolinium alloys with nickel. (C) 2001 The Electrochemical Society.