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SEM/EDX and AA measurements of current-induced composition gradients in molten NaNO/sub 3/-AgNO/sub 3/

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6093995

Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence, and atomic absorption analysis, are applied to the chemical analysis of composition gradients in quenched binary mixtures of molten salts that have been electrolyzed between silver electrodes. The results demonstrate the merging of the diffusion layers from cathode and from anode, confirming the shapes of the composition profiles predicted from the ion flow analysis based on Faradaic, migrational and diffusional flows. Effective diffusion coefficients for the electrolyte contained in a porous matrix (Y/sub 2/O/sub 3/) are derived from the ratios of known electrolyte conductance and of measured conductance in the matrix. The methods are shown to be applicable to the analysis of composition gradients in molten salt battery electrolytes.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-26
OSTI ID:
6093995
Report Number(s):
CONF-8010205-2; ON: DE82001472
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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