(Digital Presentation) Electrodeposition of Uranium Dioxide from Li₂MoO₄-K₂MoO₄-MoO₃ Based Melts: An Effect of Melt Composition

Abstract

The effect of electrolysis conditions on the composition of cathodic products formed in Li2MoO4–K2MoO4–MoO3–UO2MoO4 melts was investigated. The experiments were performed in the melts based on (1–x)(0.605Li2MoO4–0.395K2MoO4)–xMoO3 mixtures (x = 0.3–0.5) at 550–800 oC. Electrolysis was performed in the galvanostatic mode on platinum cathode. The initial current density was varied between 0.05–1 A/cm2. Depending on the electrolysis conditions the cathodic deposits consisted of UO2+x, U4O9–y, U1,5Mo10O32, Mo2UO8 and MoO2 phases. Phase composition and oxygen-to-uranium ratio were determined for the products obtained. Conditions allowed obtaining uranium oxide with minimal molybdenum contamination were determined, and confirmed by the bulk electrolysis runs.