Evaluation of apparent standard potentials of curium in LiCl-KCl eutectic melt

Electrochemical properties of curium (Cm-244) dissolved in LiCl-KCl eutectic melt were studied in the temperature range of 718 - 823 K. A small electrochemical cell used in the present study was designed to measure electrochemical properties of highly radioactive Cm-244, the maximum handling amount of which is 30 mg in our hot cells, dissolved in molten salts. Apparent standard potentials of Cm³⁺/Cm couple obtained in the present study, E°* (Cm³⁺/Cm) = (-3.236 ± 0.011) + (4.86 ± 0.14) × 10^-4 T, reasonably agree with Osipenko's data (2011) and are lower than Martinot's data (1975). The validity of the data obtained in the present study was discussed by comparing with the reported data of other transuranic elements. (author)