Dy Permeation through an Alloy Diaphragm Using Electrochemical Implantation and Displantation

Abstract

We have been developing a new process for the separation and recovery of rare earth metals using molten salt electrolysis and an alloy diaphragm. In this study, the Dy permeation experiment was conducted with two kinds of electrolytic cell. The amount of permeated Dy and Nd increased corresponding to the amount of electricity. The Dy/Nd ratio was not so high. The current due to alloy formation and anodic oxidation of Dy were measured individually using two potentio/galvanostats. DyCl3 was added into LiCl-KCl eutectic melts and Dy was permeated through a DyNi2 diaphragm film by potentiostatic electrolysis. The current density was max 280 Am-2 and the current efficiency was max 98 %.