Microelectrode voltammetric analysis of samarium ions in LiCl–KCl eutectic molten salt

A microelectrode is useful to determine electrochemical parameters such as diffusion coefficient, exchange current density, and Tafel slope without the limitations of ion diffusion. This study aims to develop a new microelectrode for use in high-temperature molten salts, which has been evaluated by determining the parameters of the Sm(III)/Sm(II) reaction in a LiCl–KCl eutectic molten salt. The electrochemical and kinetic properties of the samarium ion in the temperature range 723–823 K were calculated using the limiting current from cyclic voltammograms and the Allen–Hickling equation. The results imply that kinetic parameters (exchange current density and charge transfer coefficient) critical for designing pyroprocesses can be obtained using the developed microelectrode.