Electrochemical separation of uranium from dysprosium on liquid Ga and liquid Cd electrodes in molten LiCl–KCl–CsCl eutectic at recycling of high-level waste

The equilibrium potentials of Me(III)/Me (Me = Dy, U) couples and the double Me–Ga, Me–Cd alloys vs. Cl−/Cl2 reference electrode were measured at the temperature range 673–973 K in molten LiCl–KCl–CsCl eutectic by open-circuit potentiometry. The apparent standard potential and the base thermodynamic properties of alloys were determined. Separation factor for Dy/U couple was calculated on gallium and cadmium electrodes. In addition, it was found that the application of gallium electrodes has a significant advantage over cadmium electrodes in the process of electrochemical separation of uranium and dysprosium.