Reaction of curium(III) ions with oxo-species in alkali chloride melts

Abstract

Electronic absorption spectra of curium(III) chloro-species were measured in 3LiCl-2KCl (at 450 °C) and NaCl-2CsCl (at 550, 650 and 750 °C) eutectic melts and the molar absorption coefficients determined. The effect of oxide species addition to the melt on the absorption spectra of curium was studied. A new species, evident from the absorption bands around 360 nm, is formed when barium oxide is dissolved in the melt or O2-Cl 2 or Ar-HCl-H2O gas mixtures bubbled through. This species is ascribed to soluble curium oxychloride. It does not react with chlorine bubbled through the melt unless there is carbon present. ©The Electrochemical Society.