Challenges in selecting appropriate electrodes for high-temperature molten salt systems

Castro Baldivieso, Stephanie [Idaho National Laboratory] (ORCID:0000000336101762); Ramos Ballesteros, Alejandro [Idaho National Laboratory]; Holmbeck, Gregory Peter [Idaho National Laboratory] (ORCID:0000000305960660)

DOE OSTI · 3362761

Challenges in selecting appropriate electrodes for high-temperature molten salt systems

Castro Baldivieso, Stephanie [Idaho National Laboratory] (ORCID:0000000336101762)·Ramos Ballesteros, Alejandro [Idaho National Laboratory]·Holmbeck, Gregory Peter [Idaho National Laboratory] (ORCID:0000000305960660)

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Abstract

Based on a specific molten salt (e.g., chloride, fluoride, iodide) investigated, different working and reference electrode materials can be selected considering the chemical and thermal stability of the electrochemical cell components. In this talk, the electrode materials and challenges encountered with a spectro-electrochemical setup installed inside a glovebox, and the solutions implemented to address these challenges, specifically for the chloride and iodide molten salts will be presented. For molten chlorides, the fundamental interactions between neodymium chloride (NdCl3) and Nd metal in lithium chloride-potassium chloride eutectic salt were investigated at 773 K. The electrochemical transitions Nd2+,3+/Nd(s) were analyzed using an inert W electrode with cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry techniques, coupled with in-situ UV-Vis spectroscopy to elucidate the kinetic pathways of this disproportionation reaction (eq. 1). Nd(s) + NdCl3 = NdCl2 (1) For molten iodides, the challenges related to working electrode selectivity and present spectro-electrochemical results obtained from cyclic voltammetry measurements conducted at 673 K will be discussed.

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36 - MATERIALS SCIENCE electrochemistry molten salts

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Castro Baldivieso, Stephanie [Idaho National Laboratory] (ORCID:0000000336101762), Ramos Ballesteros, Alejandro [Idaho National Laboratory], Holmbeck, Gregory Peter [Idaho National Laboratory] (ORCID:0000000305960660). 2025-07-31. Challenges in selecting appropriate electrodes for high-temperature molten salt systems. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/3362761

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