Effect of chloride ions on the kinetics of nitrobenzene reduction by powdered iron

The effect of different chloride ions concentrations on the reactivity of iron particles was studied using chronopotentiometry. It was found that the increase of Cl⁻ ions concentration accelerated anodic dissolution of iron, thus enhancing its surface reactivity. This fact was confirmed also by the rate of nitrobenzene reduction by iron particles. The reactivity of powder particles of various sizes, hence of different specific surface, was investigated in chloride-free and chloride-containing acetate buffer electrolytes. Experimental results indicated that the rate of nitrobenzene reduction in the presence of chloride ions in the reaction system is faster in comparison with the rate in chloride-free medium for each studied grain fraction of particulate material.