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Electrochemistry of Praseodymium in Aqueous Solution Using a Liquid Gallium Cathode

Journal Article · · Journal of the Electrochemical Society
 [1];  [2];  [2];  [3];  [4]
  1. Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States); University of Idaho, Moscow, ID (United States)
  2. Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
  3. Univ. of Idaho, Moscow, ID (United States)
  4. Ames Lab., Ames, IA (United States)
+ Show Author Affiliations

In this work, the electrochemistry of liquid Ga electrodes in aqueous media was examined in the presence of praseodymium acetate (PrOAc) as an alternate path for low temperature reduction of rare earth elements (REE). This study investigated the aqueous electrochemistry of Ga with and without REEs (Pr). Cyclic voltammetry experiments showed that in the presence of PrOAc, an order of magnitude increase in cathodic current was observed for the Ga electrode, compared to that in the absence of Pr. Decrease in the reduction current with the increase of scan rate, with and without Pr, suggests catalytic reactions following electron transfer, which was attributed to the Ga2O disproportionation reaction. Chronoamperometric experiments performed in Pr containing solutions formed a precipitate. Over 50% of the Pr ions from the aqueous electrolyte were immobilized in the precipitate; a solid Ga-rich phase. Formation of this precipitate was only possible when Ga oxidation was induced. This condition was achieved by circulation of liquid Ga from the pool via external pump and returned dropwise to the liquid Ga pool. When the collected precipitate was leached in dilute HCl, Pr was released with H2 evolved as a byproduct, and Ga returned to its initial liquid metallic state. These preliminary results show encouraging new routes that could be applied for the recovery of diluted REE leachates, such as those obtained from magnets, coal fly ash, and ores.

Research Organization:
Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States); Ames Laboratory (AMES), Ames, IA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC07-05ID14517; AC02-07CH11358; AC02-07CH11358, AC07-05ID14517
OSTI ID:
1874804
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1897082
Report Number(s):
INL/JOU-22-66612-Rev000; IS-J 10,841; TRN: US2310750
Journal Information:
Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Vol. 169, Issue 6; ISSN 0013-4651
Publisher:
IOP PublishingCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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