Sulfide ion electrooxidation catalysed by cobalt phthalocyanine microcrystals

Electrooxidation of sulfide ion catalysed by microcrystals of cobalt phthalocyanine was investigated by cyclic voltammetry in 0.5M KNO₃ at pH 9.22. Traces of catalyst were immobilized at the surface of a paraffin-impregnated graphite electrode by the mechanical transfer of its powder. The electro-oxidation of HS^– proceeds in two irreversible steps, with the first peak between 0 V and –0.12 V and the second at 0.17 V. The first step is second order in HS^– and its product is the adsorbed disulfide, which may further dissociate to give adsorbed sulfur atoms. The reduction of sulfur occurs at –0.1 V.