Data from: Anodic behaviour of Cu, Zr and Cu-Zr alloy in molten LiCl-KCl eutectic

The anodic dissolution behaviours of Cu, Zr and Cu–Zr alloy were analysed
in LiCl–KCl at 500°C by anode polarization curve and potentiostatic
polarization curve. The results show that the initial and fast-dissolving
potentials of Cu are −0.50 and −0.29 V, and Zr are −1.0 and −0.88 V,
respectively. But, in the Cu–Zr alloy, the initial and fast-dissolving
potentials of Cu are −0.52 and −0.41 V, and Zr are −0.96 and −0.92 V,
respectively. The potentials satisfy the selection dissolution principle
that Zr in the alloy dissolves first, while Cu is left in the anode and is
not oxidized. The passivation phenomenon of Zr is observed in the quick
dissolution of Zr, while it is not observed in the Cu–Zr alloy. Moreover,
from the above anodic dissolution results, potentiostatic electrolysis of
Cu–Zr alloy was carried out at −0.8 V for 40 min, and the anodic
dissolution mechanism and kinetics of Zr in Cu–Zr alloy were also
discussed. In the initial stage, Zr dissolves as Zr4+ ions from the alloy
surface and enters into the molten salt, leaving a Cu layer called
‘dissolving layer’ on the surface of the alloy. After that, another layer
between the matrix and ‘dissolving layer’ called ‘diffusion–dissolution
layer’ appears. Zr diffuses in the alloy matrix and dissolves as Zr4+ ions
on the surface of the ‘diffusion–dissolution layer’ continuously, and Zr4+
ions diffuse through the ‘dissolving layer’ and enter into the molten salt
finally. In addition, the factors affecting the dissolution of Cu–Zr
alloy, such as time and potential, were also investigated. The dissolution
loss increases with the increasing dissolution potential and time, while
the dissolution rate increases with the increasing dissolution potential
and declines with the prolonging dissolution time.