Electrochemical isotope effect and lithium isotope separation

J Am Chem Soc. 2009 Jul 29;131(29):9904-5. doi: 10.1021/ja903926x.

Abstract

A large electrochemical isotopic effect is observed upon the electrodeposition of lithium from solutions of propylene carbonate producing isotopically light metal deposits. The magnitude of fractionation is controlled by the applied overpotential and is largest close to equilibrium. Calculated partition function ratios for tetrahedrally coordinated lithium complexes and metallic lithium predict an equilibrium fractionation close to that measured experimentally.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Electrochemistry
  • Isotopes / chemistry
  • Lithium / chemistry*

Substances

  • Isotopes
  • Lithium