Synthesis and characterization of neodymium oxychloride

As a cathode material, neodymium oxychloride (NdOCl) was used for neodymium extraction by through the solid-oxide oxygen-ion-conducting membrane (SOM) process. In this study, the preparation and sintering conditions of the neodymium oxychloride were discussed. The purity of materials phase compositions was confirmed by the X-ray diffraction method. Moreover, the electrical properties of NdOCl were investigated by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) in molten CaCl₂ at temperature range 800–900 °C and voltage range of 1.4–1.6 V. The spectra were analyzed by the equivalent circuit fitting. Based on the values of equivalent circuits parameters, the specific conductivities were calculated and presented in the Arrhenius coordinates, and energy of activation of the charge transfer reaction (Nd²⁺→Nd) was also calculated.