Molten salt nuclear reactors are a promising technology for the production of green energy. The high boiling points and low vapor pressures of these systems make them considerably safer than traditional light water reactors, and the ability to run molten salt reactors in a breeder/burner configuration results in higher material use efficiency, and lower waste generation. One key challenge associated with these systems is material corrosion, and understanding how actinide materials, such as uranium, can affect corrosion kinetics in these systems is an important goal. In this talk, Dr. Lhermitte outlines the design and construction of the electroanalytical capabilities of the molten salt chemistry laboratory at Los Alamos National Lab to investigate these problems. Key discoveries as part of this work were: the design of a new type of sealed Mg/MgCl2 reference electrode, the preparation of small area electrodes for high resolution cyclic voltammetry, and the development of electromotive force measurements to determine the formal potential of U3+/U0 in chloride melts. Finally, Dr. Lhermitte also outlines how molten salt electrochemical methods can be leveraged to electrodeposit materials with extremely low reduction potentials, such as Zr, for applications as coatings in solid state nuclear fuels.
Charles Lhermitte (Los Alamos National Lab)