Electrochemical behaviors of PuN and (U, Pu)N in LiCl-KCl eutectic melts

Shirai, Osamu; Kato, Tetsuya*; Iwai, Takashi; Arai, Yasuo; Yamashita, Toshiyuki

Electrochemical behaviors of PuN and (U, Pu)N in the LiCl-KCl eutectic melt containing UCl and PuCl at 773 K were investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The electrochemical dissolution of PuN and (U, Pu)N began nearly at -1.0 V vs. the Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The rest potentials of PuN and (U, Pu)N were observed at about 0.15 V more negative potential than that of UN since the equilibrium potential of UN is about 0.15 V more positive than that of PuN. In the cyclic voltammogram measured by using (U, Pu)N as the working electrode, a steep rise of the positive current was observed at more positive potential than -0.4 V in analogy with the cyclic voltammogram measured by using UN as the working electrode. In addition, there were two anodic current waves in the voltammogram with (U, Pu)N, though the wave form was not clear. This indicates that UN and PuN would be dissolved independently irrespective of formation of the solid solution, (U, Pu)N.