Formation of U–Zn alloys in the molten LiCl–KCl eutectic

We report the feasibility of Zn as a liquid cathode in pyroprocessing for the recovery of U. U–Zn alloy formation was observed using electrochemical techniques in a molten LiCl–KCl eutectic containing UCl3 and ZnCl2 at 500 °C. Cyclic voltammetry showed two cathodic peaks, confirming the formation of two U–Zn alloys. The Gibbs energy of each U–Zn alloy was estimated by OCV measurement. Potentiostatic electrolysis was employed to confirm the deposition of U on Zn-coated W electrode; the resulting alloys, U2Zn17 and U3.38Zn35.24, were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis.