The electrochemical behaviour of DyCl3 was studied in LiCl-KCl eutectic at various temperatures. The cathodic reaction was: Dy(III) + 3e ↔ Dy(0), which could be divided into two very close cathodic steps: Dy(III) + e ↔ Dy(II) and Dy(II) + 2e ↔ Dy(0) Cyclic voltammetry, chronopotentiometry and chronoamperometry were used to study the transport parameters of electroactive species at a W electrode. The results showed that electrocrystallization of Dy appeared to be the controlling electrochemical step. Chronoamperometric studies indicated instantaneous nucleation of Dy, with 3-dimensional growth of nuclei; regardless of the applied overpotential. Mass transport towards the electrode involved simple diffusion, and the diffusivity of electroactive Dy(III) was calculated. The results could be described by: log[D(cm2/s)] = -2.63 – 1702/T; the activation energy being -32.54kJ/mol, independent of temperature.

Electrochemical Behaviour of Dysprosium in the Eutectic LiCl-KCl at W and Al Electrodes. Y.Castrillejo, M.R.Bermejo, A.I.Barrado, R.Pardo, E.Barrado, A.M.Martínez: Electrochimica Acta, 2005, 50[10], 2047-57