Abstract
The key fragment element samarium (Sm) has a large neutron absorption cross section, which can hinder the absorption of neutrons by uranium and negatively affect the nuclear reaction. In order to realize the nuclear fuel cycle, the extraction of Sm was studied on the basis of electrolytic refining after the dry process. The electrochemical properties of SmCl3 and SnCl2 in LiCl-KCl molten system were systematically investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), square wave voltammetry (SWV), and open circuit potential (OCP). The diffusion coefficients of the Sn(II) and Sm(III) electrode processes were calculated to be 3.55–5.93 × 10−5 and 2.33–3.97 × 10−5 cm2 s−1, respectively. The co-reduction of Sm(III) and Sn(II) ions was studied. Sm was recycled by constant current electrolysis on the liquid Sn electrode, and the average extraction rate was about 94.23%. The samples were characterized and analyzed by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM), and the results showed that Sm extraction from liquid tin is feasible.
Funding source: National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Opening Project of Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Polymer Micro/Nano Manufacturing and Devices
Award Identifier / Grant number: PMND202206
Award Identifier / Grant number: U2167223
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Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.
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Research funding: The work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Opening Project of Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Polymer Micro/Nano Manufacturing and Devices (Nos. U2167223 and PMND202206).
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Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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