Abstract
Zirconium nitride (ZrN) has proved to be a promising new
catalyst material. Bearing in mind its recyclability at end-of-life,
the objective of this work was to demonstrate recovery of Zr in an
electrochemical process using a consumable ZrN anode. A
mechanically stable ZrN anode was made from synthetic ZrN
powder by spark plasma sintering. The anodic dissolution was
carried out in an equimolar NaCl-KCl molten salt at 727 °C
(1000 K) by potentiostatic polarization. Cyclic voltammetry of
the molten salt was performed before and after the anodic
dissolution. It was successfully demonstrated that Zr ions were
dissolved into the molten salt. The electrochemical
characterization of the electroactive species showed a two-step
electrochemical process, related to the reduction steps
Zr(IV)/Zr(II), and Zr(II)/Zr. Analysis of voltammograms showed
diffusion controlled electrochemical reactions and the diffusion
coefficients calculated correlated well with values reported in the
literature
catalyst material. Bearing in mind its recyclability at end-of-life,
the objective of this work was to demonstrate recovery of Zr in an
electrochemical process using a consumable ZrN anode. A
mechanically stable ZrN anode was made from synthetic ZrN
powder by spark plasma sintering. The anodic dissolution was
carried out in an equimolar NaCl-KCl molten salt at 727 °C
(1000 K) by potentiostatic polarization. Cyclic voltammetry of
the molten salt was performed before and after the anodic
dissolution. It was successfully demonstrated that Zr ions were
dissolved into the molten salt. The electrochemical
characterization of the electroactive species showed a two-step
electrochemical process, related to the reduction steps
Zr(IV)/Zr(II), and Zr(II)/Zr. Analysis of voltammograms showed
diffusion controlled electrochemical reactions and the diffusion
coefficients calculated correlated well with values reported in the
literature
