About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2027 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Materials and Chemistry for Molten Salt Systems
|
| Presentation Title |
Electrochemical Characterization of Uranium in Molten MgCl2-NaCl Using a Novel Magnesium Reference Electrode |
| Author(s) |
Charles Lhermitte |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Charles Lhermitte |
| Abstract Scope |
Molten chloride salts are advanced heat transfer fluids, but electrochemical diagnostics require stable reference electrodes. To address this, a Mg2+/0 reference system was evaluated in molten MgCl2-NaCl, demonstrating potential stability from 500°C to 675°C. This concept was advanced into a sealed Mg/MgCl2 configuration showing ideal nonpolarizable behavior. Using this reference, the electrochemical behavior of UCl3 was investigated at 550°C. Electromotive force (EMF) measurements determined the U3+/U0 formal reduction potential as +0.276 V vs. Mg/MgCl2 (-1.400 V vs. Ag/AgCl 5 mol%). This potential is ~100 mV more positive than in alkali chloride melts due to the hardness of the Mg2+ cation, which destabilizes higher uranium oxidation states via secondary coordination sphere interactions. These systems enable high-fidelity thermodynamic profiling crucial for predicting corrosion. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Magnesium, Nuclear Materials, Other |