Electrochemical behaviour of Ni, Cu, Ag, Pt and glassy carbon electrodes in triethylamine-tris(hydrogen fluoride) medium

Voltammetric responses of Ni, Cu, Ag, Pt and glassy carbon (GC) electrodes in triethylamine-tris(hydrogen fluoride) medium in the anodic as well cathodic potential region were investigated. AAS as well as SEM measurements were also made to ascertain the dissolution rate and surface transformation due to fluoride film formation on the electrode surfaces. On Ni, bulk NiF₂ film growth occurs only around 4.0 V following a thin NiF₂ monolayer formation around 0 V. The NiF₂ film shows very little solubility in the medium. Monolayer and bulk CuF₂ phases are formed quite close to each other on Cu during anodic polarization. The anodically formed CuF₂ dissolves to the extent of 12% in this medium. AgF formation follows a different mechanism during the first and subsequent anodic sweeps. The effect of MeCN as well as water addition on the solubility and stability of these fluoride films are also reported. Glassy carbon and Pt electrodes are relatively inert in this medium. Anodic voltammetric responses for other reactive species could be observed only on Pt and GC electrodes. On the cathodic side, all the electrodes show inert behaviour. Electrochemical reduction of PhNO₂, for example, could be observed on all the electrodes. Electronic Publication     

Solubility of KF in four organic solvents and thermodynamic dissolution functions

The solubilities of potassium fluoride (KF) in protic and aprotic polar solvents (N,N-dimethylethanolamine, diethanolamine, pyridine, and sulfolane) were measured at temperatures ranging from 308.73 to 367.37 K, and the data were correlated using the modified Apelblat equation. The dissolution enthalpy and dissolution entropy were calculated from the solubility data. The interactions between solute and solvent were discussed. The data obtained can be helpful in the search of optimal ways of preparation of 2,3,4,5-tetrafluorobenzoic acid.     

Correction to: The effect of small silver inclusions on the palladium activity in formicacid oxidation reaction and corrosion stability

A PdAg deposit containing ~ 25 at.% Ag is obtained by the electrochemical codeposition from an aqueous solution of Pd and Ag sulfates (Au support, 0.5 M H₂SO₄). The deposit is characterized by means of various physical, physicochemical, and electrochemical methods. The PdAg deposit demonstrates the ~ 2 times higher specific activity (per the electrochemically active surface area (EASA) of Pd) in the formic acid oxidation reaction (FAOR) as compared with the individual Pd deposit prepared under the same conditions. The effect of silver additions on the palladium activity depends on many factors. The corrosion stability of PdAg is studied in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ solution based on the overall cyclic voltammograms (CVAs) and also on anodic and cathodic half-cycles in the region E = 0.3 − 1.25 V (vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)). The electrochemical estimates are compared with the results of direct analytical determination of dissolution products in solution after anodic polarization of deposits. The total amounts of Pd dissolved substantially increase with incorporation of Ag, which is associated, first of all, with the considerable increase in the EASA; at the same time, the specific dissolution of Pd also substantially increases. The possible factors determining the active dissolution of PdAg deposits are discussed; in particular, the specific mechanism of their dissolution via silver adatoms is proposed.

     

Influence of the degree of surface oxidation of polycrystalline Rh electrodes on the underpotential deposition of Cu

The underpotential deposition of copper onto polycrystalline rhodium was studied as a function of the degree of oxidation of the electrode surface in acidic media using potentiodynamic techniques. Surface oxidation of the rhodium electrode was carried out using a triangular sweep potential between E _L (lower limit) and E _U (upper limit: 0.94≤E _U≤1.4 V). Cu electrodeposition was performed at the same time as the total or partial reduction of the oxidized species. The surface oxides produced at E _U≤1.09 V were completely reduced during Cu electrodeposition. In this case, the potentiodynamic I-E patterns for oxidative dissolution of Cu were characterized by three anodic peaks located at 0.41 V (peak I), 0.47 V (peak II) and 0.59 V (peak III) and the coverage degree by Cu, θ_Cu, was on the order of a monolayer. Surface oxides produced at E _U>1.09 V were partially reduced during the copper electrodeposition. In this case, the I-E profiles exhibited only two anodic peaks (II and III) and θ_Cu was <1. The Rh-oxygen species that remain on the electrode surface block the active sites of lower energy and modify the binding energy of strongly adsorbed Cu. Electronic Publication     

Ellipsometric and microwave reflectivity studies of current oscillations during anodic dissolution of p-Si in fluoride solutions

Periodic current oscillations during anodic dissolution of monocrystalline p-Si(100) in buffered ammonium fluoride solutions (0.1 mol dm⁻³ fluoride, pH 4.5) were investigated using a flow cell in order to eliminate mass transport limitations. The flow cell was designed to permit simultaneous in-situ ellipsometry, impedance and potential modulated microwave reflectivity measurements. Analysis of the ellipsometric response showed that the current oscillations are accompanied by a synchronous variation of the overall oxide thickness with an amplitude of 4.5±0.1 nm. Analysis of the relationship between the total oxide thickness and the current during the oscillation cycle shows that to a first approximation the rate of chemical dissolution of anodic oxide remains constant. Oscillations of the electrode admittance and potential modulated microwave reflectivity were also measured. The imaginary component of the admittance is related to the oscillation in thickness of a narrow inner region of ‘dry’ oxide and to changes in the accumulation capacitance. The oscillation in the potential modulated microwave reflectivity is interpreted in terms of the changes in the density of holes accumulated at the p-Si SiO₂ interface.     

Solvent Effects on the Absorption Spectrum of the Product and the Equilibrium Constant for the Proton Transfer Reaction from 1-Phenacylquinolinium Bromide to Amines

The equilibrium constants, K ₂, have been determined for the proton-transfer reactions of 1-phenacylquinolinium ion, PHQ⁺, with several amines {triethylamine (TEA), N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (ED), N,N,N′, N′-tetramethylpropanediamine (PD), N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylbutanediamine (BD), and 1,8-bis(dimethylamino-naphthalene (DMAN)} in acetonitrile (AN), AN-tetrahydrofuran (THF) and AN-ethanol (EtOH) mixtures. The reaction was followed spectrophotometrically using a stopped-flow technique. The K ₂ value decreased for DMAN and increased for TEA with increasing vol-% of THF in AN-THF mixtures. The changes in the K ₂ value for ED, PD and BD changed in the order: ED, PD and BD from a pattern similar to TEA to a pattern similar to DMAN. The change in the K ₂ value for DMAN with increasing vol-% of THF in AN-THF mixtures was explained by the effect of polarity on the stability of P⁻Q⁺ (the deprotonated product of PHQ⁺). The effect of THF on the K ₂ value is consistent with that of the peak wavelength of the absorption spectrum of P⁻Q⁺. The change in the K ₂ value for TEA, ED, PD and BD depended on the structures of the protonated bases, one of the products for this reaction. The effect of EtOH on the K ₂ value for DMAN was examined in ternary EtOH-THF-AN mixtures that contain different amounts of EtOH and whose relative permittivities were adjusted to that of EtOH. The K ₂ value increased with increasing vol-% of EtOH because of the stabilization of P⁻Q⁺ upon the formation of the hydrogen-bonded complex with EtOH. The absorption spectrum of P⁻Q⁺ demonstrated a blue shift as the vol-% of EtOH increased.     

Influence of the electrolyte composition and pH on the anodic dissolution of p-type Si in aqueous HF solutions

The influence of the electrolyte composition and pH on the anodic currents obtained during electrochemical etching of p-type silicon in aqueous HF solutions has been investigated. Original and accurate pH measurements were performed to characterize the exact composition of the HF + H₂O electrolytes commonly used. It is shown that for these very acid solutions (pH < 2) almost all fluoride is in the form of the non-dissociated HF species which appears to play a preponderant role in the silicon dissolution reaction kinetics. The effect of pH can be restricted to its influence on the modification of the different concentrations by shifting the equilibria.     

Electrochemical behaviour of a lead electrode in phosphoric acid

 A lead electrode was studied in 6 and 12 M H₃PO₄. Oxidation of a freshly polished electrode occurred in the −0.5 to −0.3 V vs. SCE range, and led to PbHPO₄ growth on the electrode surface. The dissolution of this layer by electrochemical reduction occurred between −0.5 and −0.7 V. The influence of temperature (20 °C and 65 °C) was investigated and showed that the anodic and the cathodic peaks were increasing, and more markedly for the 12 M H₃PO₄. The ratio Q _cathodic/Q _anodic (Q=electrical charge flowing through the electrode) was equal or close to the unity at 20 °C and decreased as the temperature was increased. The influence of Cl⁻, Br⁻ and I⁻ ions was also evaluated. The addition of Cl⁻ and Br⁻ predominantly led to Pb₅(PO₄)₃Cl and Pb₅(PO₄)₃Br, respectively, while I⁻ led to a mixture of PbI₂ and PbHPO₄. Received: 18 July 1999 / Accepted: 2 November 1999     

Measuring the solubility of CO2 and H2S in sulfolane and the density and viscosity of saturated liquid binary mixtures of (sulfolane + CO2) and (sulfolane + H2S)

The density and viscosity of liquid sulfolane saturated (loaded) with single CO₂ and H₂S gases were measured simultaneously with the solubility of the single CO₂ and H₂S gases in sulfolane at temperatures ranging from (303.15 to 363.15) K and pressures of up to about 2.4 MPa using a new experimental set-up developed in our laboratory. The experimental density and viscosity values were correlated using a modified Setchenow-type equation. It was observed that the density and viscosity of mixtures decrease by increasing temperature and acid gas solubility (loading) in sulfolane. Acid gas loading has a much profounder effect on the viscosity of solutions than on their density, i.e. at a concentration of 1 mol CO₂/H₂S per kg of sulfolane the density decreases by less than 3%, but viscosity decreases by more than 30%. Results show that at fixed temperature and pressure H₂S is more than four times as soluble as CO₂ in sulfolane. The measured solubility and density values were respectively used to obtain Henry’s law constants and partial molar volumes at infinite dilution for dissolution of CO₂ and H₂S gases in the liquid sulfolane at the temperatures studied. The Henry’s law constants obtained at different temperatures were used to determine infinite dilution partial molar thermodynamic functions (Gibbs free energy, enthalpy and entropy) of solution. The measured solubility data were correlated by using a model comprised of the extended Henry’s law and the Pitzer’s virial expansion for the excess Gibbs free energy.     

Kinetics of electrochemical reactions on the Ag(Hg)/Ag4RbI5 interface

The electrochemical behaviour of the Ag(Hg)/Ag₄RbI₅ interface is investigated by a potentiostatic pulse method. It is found that the rate-determining step of the electrode reaction is electron transfer with an exchange current density of 68 mA cm^–2 and a transfer coefficient of approximately 0.45. The order of the electrochemical reaction for silver oxidation is estimated from polarization investigations of silver amalgam in various concentrations. From this it is deduced that the mercury is ionized and is implanted in the electrolyte together with silver under anodic polarization: 15Ag+85Hg–100e^–→15Ag⁺+85Hg⁺. From comparison of the electrochemical behaviour of the Ag(Hg)/Ag₄RbI₅ and Ag/Ag₄RbI₅ interfaces it is concluded that the rate of anodic silver dissolution on the Ag/Ag₄RbI₅ interface is limited by crystallization effects. Electronic Publication     

Investigation of the surface properties of platinum,rhodium and iridium electrodes in hydrofluoric acid solutions

The charging curves, the potentiodynamic curves and the isoelectric potential shifts have been measured on Pt, Rh and Ir electrodes in HF and HF + KF solutions in a Teflon cell. From the obtained data, the Γ_H⁺?? curves and the Δσ?? curves of the first kind have been calculated by means of the thermodynamic theory of the hydrogen electrode. The Γ_H⁺ values in 0.14 M HF and 0.3 M HF + 0.12 M KF are much less than in 0.005 M H₂SO₄ and 0.005 M H₂SO₄ + 0.5 M K₂SO₄ solutions. In the presence of F^? anions, the potentials ?_ε=0 and ?_Q=0 are by 25–55 mV more anodic than in the presence of SO^2?₄ anions. In an acidified fluoride solution the values of σ are higher than in an acidified sulfate solution. The analysis of the results obtained leads to the conclusion that on platinum metals the fluoride anions in the ?_r region investigated (from ?_r = 0 to ?_r = 900 mV) are the most weakly adsorbed anions.     

Differential-pulse polarographic determination of chromium and nickel in zircaloys using microsamples

Three methods were developed for the analysis of the alloying elements chromium and nickel in Zircaloy-2 and Zircaloy-4, alloys of zirconium used extensively in the nuclear industry as nuclear fuel sheathing. Zircaloy was dissolved in hydrofluoric acid followed by oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI) by perchloric acid. The polarographic peak of CrO ₄ ^2– in alkaline medium was used to determine Cr. Nickel was determined, after HF dissolution, using the polarographic peak of the nickel-ammonia complex, Ni (NH₃) ₆ ²⁺ . In an alternative method for Ni, the sample was dissolved in HF and the polarographic peak of the nickel-fluoride complex, NiF ₄ ^2– , was used. Careful control of fluoride ion concentration and the pH eliminated the harmful effect of fluoride on the capillary behaviour of the dropping mercury electrode. The detection limits for chromium, nickel-ammonia and nickel-fluoride in Zircaloys were 0.0016, 0.0033, and 0.0041%, respectively.     

Silver-silver(I) system in superacid mixtures HF+SbF5

An electrochemical study of silver in superacid medium HF+SbF₅ shows that Ag is not oxidized and that the couple Ag/Ag(I) may be used as a reference electrode in mixtures of HF and SbF₅ containing 30% of SbF₅ (by weight). From potentiometric measurements with a silver electrode, it is shown that AgSbF₆ is slightly soluble and the solubility product is determined (log(K_s/mol²l^?2)=1.1). Evidence for the strong acidity of SbF₅ is demonstrated and it is shown that there are no polymers (such as Sb₂F₁₁^?) in the concentration range 0–3 M of SbF₅.     

Multicycle chronoamperometry at rotating ring-disc electrode as a method of current separation into partial currents of silver ionization,Ag<Subscript>2</Subscript>O formation and its chemical dissolution in alkaline medium

A method of multicycle chronoamperometry at rotating ring-disc electrode is suggested for experimental separation of the disc polarization current into its components that correspond to the substrate metal ionization, an oxide formation, and the oxide chemical dissolution. The method was validated by the example of the Ag|Ag₂O|OH^?(H₂O) system. At moderate anodic potentials of Ag-disc (0.48–0.51 V), silver active dissolution from open areas of its surface and through film’s pores dominates; the phase-forming current, hence, the current efficiency of this process drops down rapidly. At the potentials of the maximum at voltammograms (0.52–0.53 V), when the silver active dissolution current is suppressed, the phase-forming currents dominate; they exceed the oxide chemical dissolution rate significantly. The Ag₂O film thickness increases rapidly, the current efficiency of the oxide formation process approaches 100% during the entire disc polarization period. The Ag(I)-oxide chemical dissolution rate constant practically does not depend on the anodic phase-formation potential; however, it somewhat varies depending on the oxide film thickness, thus reflecting changes in the film structure and, possibly, chemical composition (from AgOH to Ag₂O).     

Anodic dissolution of electronegative component during the process of metal codeposition in a flow-through porous cathode

Possible magnitude of the electronegative component (M₂) dissolution during a two metal (M₁ and M₂) codeposition inside a porous electrode is studied theoretically (by modeling) and experimentally. Model calculations based on the substituting of the pure metal (M₂) dissolution rate for its selective dissolution rate from the alloy gave an overestimated evaluation of the effect. The dissolution effect is shown to be small when the porous electrode is filled up with metal deposited from a solution large single portion; however, it increased significantly when the solution is divided into smaller portions. Experimental studies of Ag and Cu deposition dynamics in thiosulfate solution showed that the turning from a direct-flow to a circulation mode results in significant increase in the Cu mass and widening its deposition zone up to the porous electrode entire thickness. When the 2nd and 3rd portions of the solution are subjected to electrolysis, the solution is temporarily enriched with Cu ions, which evidences the copper partial dissolution whose scale is close to calculated estimates. The explanation of specific features of Cu dissolution in repeated cycles of the metal recovery was suggested and experimentally proved.     

Elektrosynthese von Metallalkoxiden und -cyclohexoxiden

Electrosynthesis of Metal Alcoxides and Cyclohexoxides A number of alcoxides of the types Cr(OR)₃ · nL, Cu(OR)₂ · nL, and Ni(OR)₂ · nL have been synthesized by anodic dissolution of metals in organic solvents. These derivatives have been characterized by element analysis, mass spectra, and DTA.     

Electrochemical dissolution of chalcopyrite studied by voltammetry of immobilized microparticles

The characteristics of anodic electrochemical dissolution of chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂) powder in hydrochloric acid medium with sodium chloride have been studied. Cyclic voltammetry and chronopotentiometry of immobilized microparticles using paraffin-impregnated graphite electrode was employed. Present work is focused on electrochemical identification of chalcopyrite cathodic and anodic reaction products within the potential range of −0.7 to +0.8 V (vs. SCE) in hydrochloric acid solution containing sodium chloride and/or copper(II) chloride.     

Electrochemical and morphological characterization of poly[(R)-(−)-3-(l-pyrrolyl)propyl-N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)-α-phenylglycinate] films deposited on ITO electrodes

Poly[(R)-(–)-3-(l-pyrrolyl)propyl-N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)-α-phenylglycinate] films were deposited on ITO electrodes using potentiodynamic and galvanostatic methods. Polymerization occurred as a charge dependent process at 1.0 V vs. Ag/Ag⁺(CH₃CN) and was not affected by the presence of nitro groups in the monomer. The surface morphology of the film and its electrochemical properties were studied as a function of deposition charge (Q_dep) and deposition method. Film thickness increased in a quasi-linear manner with respect to Q_dep within the range 40–80 mC cm². The galvanostatic method provided easier control of Q_dep compared with potentiodynamic deposition, and produced a more adherent film with homogeneous grain geometry. Cyclic voltammetry revealed a well defined redox couple at the anodic region, attributable to polymer p-doping, and a poorly defined redox pair at the cathodic region, attributable to the reduction of the nitro group.     

Effect of hydrogen sulfide on the iron dissolution rate in a sodium sulfate solution under natural aeration conditions

The influence of hydrogen sulfide (10–100 mg/1) on the Armco iron anodic dissolution in an aerated 0.17 M Na₂SO₄ solution is investigated. During a potentiostatic anodic polarization, the hydrogen sulfide introduction makes the current increase stepwise. The magnitude of the increase depends on the duration of preliminary anodic polarization, electrode potential, and hydrogen sulfide concentration. The anodic metal dissolution activation by hydrogen sulfide is explained by chemical conversion of the oxide-hydroxide passivating film into iron sulfide that is generated at the metal surface in the form of a porous film and does not hinder the electrode dissolution. Dedicated to the ninetieth anniversary of Ya.M. Kolotyrkin’s birth.