Electrochemical behavior and electromotive force measurements of U3+/U0 in molten MgCl2-NaCl

The electrochemical behavior of UCl3 was investigated in molten MgCl2-NaCl at 550°C. Using electromotive force measurements, we have measured the formal reduction potential (Eo’) at 550°C of U3+/U0 as +0.276 V vs. Mg/MgCl2 (-1.400 V vs. Ag/AgCl 5 mol%) on the molal scale. We also present the design and construction of a sealed Mg/MgCl2 reference electrode and have determined this system demonstrates ideal nonpolarizable electrode behavior, confirming it as an appropriate choice of reference electrode in molten chloride salts.