Abstract
The electroreduction of nitrate and nitrite on iridium-deposited carbon fiber electrode in aqueous sodium perchlorate solutions of pH 7 was studied using cyclic voltammetric techniques. Results obtained on the modified electrode support a two-step nitrate reduction mechanism in which nitrate is first reduced to nitrite at Epeak = -800 mV (Ag/AgCl) during the negative scan and further reduced to ammonia at Epeak = -775 mV (Ag/AgCl) during the anodic scan. An oxidation peak for the unreduced nitrite was observed at -300 mV (Ag/AgCl). A Tafel slope of approximately 178 mV/dec and a pseudo-first-order rate constant of k° = 4.18×10-7 cm s-1 were determined for the cathodic reduction peak while Tafel slope of 18.9 mV/dec and k° = 2.62×10-23 cm s-1 were obtained for the anodic reduction peak. The Tafel slopes obtained also support the two-step mechanism. The results obtained strongly suggest a minimal effect of pH on nitrate reduction in the pH range of 2.0-13.0 in NaClO4 solution at the surface of iridium-coated carbon fiber electrode.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 4224-4228 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of the Electrochemical Society |
Volume | 147 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 1 2000 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
- Surfaces, Coatings and Films
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Chemistry