ELECTRODE PROCESSES KINETICS AND CERIUM GROUP REE PRODUCTION BY ELECTROLYSIS OF FLUORIDE-CHLORIDE MELTS

Electrode processes in LiCl –REEF3 (REE=La,Ce,Nd) melts were studied using different electrochemical techniques. It was shown that electrochemical properties of lithium and rare earths are close to each other thus resulting in cooperative reduction under relatively high current density.The chosen conditions were applied for electrolytic production of lanthanum, cerium and neodymium metals.The study was financially supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation within the framework of subsidizing agreement of September 29, 2014 (no. 14.581.21.0002, unique agreement identifier RFMEFI58114X0002) of the Federal Target Program “Research and Development in Priority Directions of the Progress of the Scientific and Technological Complex of Russia for the Years 2014–2020.