The behavior of La(III) at Mo electrodes in molten LiCl-KCl at 683 to 773K was studied using cyclic voltammetry and chronopotentiometry. The results showed that reduction of La(III) occurred with the exchange of three electrons. Cyclic voltammetry studies indicated that, at a sweep rate lower than 0.2V/s, the electroreduction of La(III) to lanthanum metal was reversible and controlled by the diffusion of La(III). However, the process was controlled by both diffusion and electron transfer when the sweep rate exceeded 0.2V/s. The temperature dependence of the diffusion coefficient of La(III) was given by: ln[D] = 7.742 - 14410/T.

Electrode Process of La(III) in Molten LiCl-KCl. F.Gao, C.Wang, L.Liu, J.Guo, S.Chang, L.Chang, R.Li, Y.Ouyang: Journal of Rare Earths, 2009, 27[6], 986-90