Electrocatalysis of the reduction of nitrate ion at cadmium electrodes by electrodeposited copper

The irreversible reduction of nitrate to nitrite at a cadmium electrode in slightly alkaline solution is electrocatalyzed by copper deposited on the electrode surface. Mass transport-limited currents were observed at a Cu—Cd disc electrode to rotational velocities of 1050 rad s^-1 (10000 rev. min^-1). Electron mugraphs revealed that the copper is plated as closely packed muspheres less than 1 μm in diameter.