Electrochemical reduction of ytterbium in perchloric media

The electrochemical behavior of Yb³⁺ in perchloric media was studied by cyclic voltammetry and current reversal chronopotentiometry at several temperatures. The results show that the reversible electrochemical reduction of Yb³⁺ is followed by homogeneous reactions. The experimentally determined diffusion coefficients of ytterbic ion are 0.41×10^?5, 0.48×10^?5 and 0.53×10^?5 cm² s^?1 at 4.2, 9.2 and 14.7°C, respectively, in 0.5 M NaClO₄ solutions. From these data a value of 16 kJ mol^?1 (3830 cal mol^?1) was obtained for the activation energy for diffusion of ytterbic ion. From the activation energy the diffusion coefficient of ytterbic ion at 25.0°C was estimated. The value of 0.67×10^?5 cm² s^?1 was obtained. In all the experiments the initial pH was maintained at 4.1.