The electroreduction of Zr(IV) was studied on molybdenum electrodes in LiCl-KCl-K2ZrF6 molten salt. Transient electrochemical techniques, such as cyclic voltammetry and chronopotenimetry were used. The results showed that the electrochemical reduction of Zr(II)/Zr and Zr(IV)/Zr(II) were both diffusion-controlled. At 773 to 973K, the diffusion coefficients of Zr(II) and Zr(IV) were given by:

Zr(II):     D(cm2/s) = 1.5567 x 10-1exp[-69.65(kJ/mol)/RT]

Zr(IV):     D(cm2/s) = 1.09 x 10-4exp[-44.39(kJ/mol)/RT]

Electrochemical Behavior of Zirconium in the LiCl-KCl Molten Salt at Mo Electrode. Z.Chen, Y.J.Li, S.J.Li: Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2011, 509[20], 5958-61