Operando Characterization of Uranium Dendrite Growth in High‐Temperature Molten Salt Electrochemistry by Synchrotron X‐Ray Tomography and Diffraction
In this study, an innovative operando characterization methodology utilizing synchrotron radiation X-ray micro-computed tomography (SR-µCT) and high-energy X-ray diffraction (HEXRD) to investigate dendritic electrodeposition in high-temperature molten salt (HTMS) electrochemistry is presented. This approach enables the in-situ visualization and quantification of uranium dendrite growth and ion diffusion dynamics during the electrochemical reaction of LiCl-KCl-UCl<sub>3</sub> molten salt. Through 3D reconstruction of uranium dendrite imaging and multiphysics simulations of the uranium electrolysis process, the underlying mechanisms of uranium dendrite formation are elucidated. Additionally, in situ HEXRD analysis of electrodeposited uranium reveals that the dendritic growth morphology is intrinsically linked to its crystal structure and orientation. This research not only advances the understanding of uranium dendrite growth and evolution but also establishes a foundational framework for the development of effective dendrite suppression strategies. These findings contribute significantly to the field of HTMS electrochemistry and have potential implications for the design of advanced electrochemical systems.
Authors
- Yuke Zhong
- Zimei Bai
- Jianrong Zeng (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4867-1893)
- Wei‐Qun Shi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9929-9732)
- Kui Liu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6505-390X)
- Shanfeng Wang
- Kai Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5058-9077)
- Tao Bo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0154-5454)
- Tan Tan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1124-5911)
- Yafei Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2122-6749)
- Wanxia Huang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4101-2820)
Institutions
- Sun Yat-sen University (CN)
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University (CN)
- Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
- Shanghai Advanced Research Institute (CN)
- Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics (CN)
- Institute of High Energy Physics (CN)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CN)
- Ningbo Institute of Industrial Technology (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Advanced Science
- Published
- 2025-06-11
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202502345
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Molten salt chemistry and electrochemical processes
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.44
Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Chinese Academy of Sciences
- China Postdoctoral Science Foundation
- Institute of High Energy Physics
- National Postdoctoral Program for Innovative Talents
- National Key Research and Development Program of China
- National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars
- Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences
- High Energy Physics