Mechano-electrochemical phase field modeling for formation and modulation of dendritic Pattern: Application to uranium recovery from spent nuclear fuel

Dendrite formation is a critical issue in uranium recovery from spent nuclear fuel (SNF) through molten-salt electrorefining process. To understand and modulate dendritic formation, we developed computation model that involves all the complexities mechano-electrochemical process, such as diffusion–reaction kinetics, interfacial anisotropy variations of electric stress fields. In particular, lattice mismatch between deposit substrate considered which addressed importance cathode material. The explains various morphologies dendrites, two-dimensional scenario can be demarcated based on perimeter-to-area ratio, χ/S. Dendrites needle-like, tooth-like, or tree-like when χ/S < 2 mm−1, mm−1 ≤ 6 ≥ respectively. With these conditions, parameter maps for modulating patterns are drawn to elucidate effects anisotropy, nuclei site geometry, diffusivity, fields, employed design electroplating process minimize failures caused by dendrite formation.