First-principles prediction of universal relation between exchange current density and adsorption energy of rare-earth elements in a molten salt

Using first-principles calculations we developed, for the first time, atomistic-level kinetics model to identify a key descriptor controlling electrochemical behaviors of various rare-earth ions solvated in molten salt electrolyte depositing on a solid electrode. We identified that the thermodynamic adsorption energies of rare-earth elements in the metallic electrode have a universal relation with exchange current densities. Our studies can be very useful guide to separate high-level radioactive nuclear materials and industrially valuable rare-earth materials, which can substantially relieve the environmental protection issues in nuclear waste disposal.