The Dropping Mercury Electrode in Acetic Acid. I. Discontinuous Current-Voltage Curves1

1942 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 1303-1309 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Bryant Bachman ◽  
Melvin J. Astle
1958 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 271 ◽  
Author(s):  
HA McKenzie

The Ilkovic equation for the limiting diffusion current obtained with a dropping mercury electrode predicts that the instantaneous current grows during the life of the mercury drop as the one-sixth power of the time, and that the ratio of the instantaneous current at the end of the drop life (the maximum current) to the average current is 1.17. McKenzie (1948) showed in a preliminary study that these relations are not obeyed. The present paper is concerned with a more detailed study of current-time curves for cadmium(II), lead(II), and thallium(I) ions and oxygen. Measurements are made both in the presence and absence of maximum suppressor (gelatin) in two supporting electrolytes (potassium chloride and potassium nitrate). It is found that the rate of growth of the instantaneous current is not in accordance with the Ilkovic equation. Also, it does not accurately follow the modified equations, such as the Lingane-Loveridge equation, particularly during the early stages of drop life. The ratio of maximum to average current varies for the different electroactive substances, but in all cases examined 1.23<imax./iav.<1.30. An interesting observation is also made on the current-time curves for cadmium(II) in potassium nitrate in the presence of gelatin. At pH values appreciably below the isoelectric point (?pH 5) the current-time curves and the current-voltage curves are distorted. The implications of these results in the measurement of polarographic waves, both in theoretical and analytical applications, are discussed.


1956 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
JR Hall ◽  
RA Plowman

A number of tetrammine ions of divalent platinum, in which the ligands were ammonia, methylamine, dimethylamine, ethylenediamine, pyridine, aniline, and combinations of some of these, were studied at the dropping mercury electrode. Some of the ions showed maxima in their current-voltage curves (c-v curves). The formation of hydrogen interfered with the c-v curves of other ions, so that limiting currents were not obtainable. A method was devised for the measurement of a voltage by means of which the ease of reduction of the ions could be compared. Using a supporting electrolyte of 0.1M KCl and 0.01% gelatin, the order of increasing ease of reduction was found to be [Pt{(CH3)2NH)4]2+ = [Pt(NH3)4]2+ = [Pt(NH3)3(C5H5N)]2+ = [Pt{C2H4(NH2)2}2]2+ < cis-[Pt(NH3)2(C5H5N)2]2+ < trans-[Pt(NH3)2C5H5N)2]2+ < [Pt(CH3NH2)4]2+ = [Pt(NH3)(C5H5N)3]2+ <[Pt(C6H5N)4]2+ < cis-[Pt(NH3)2(C6H5NH2)2]2+ < trans-[Pt(NH3)2(C6H5NH2)2]2+. When the ammonia groups of [Pt(NHS),l2+ were successively replaced by pyridine groups, the resulting e-v curves shifted progressively to more positive voltages. It was also found that cis- and trans-isomers of [PtA,B,I2+ reduced at different voltages. The trans-isomer reduced more readily.


1958 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 104 ◽  
Author(s):  
JA Friend ◽  
NK Roberts

Four related Wurster salts are subjected to a polarographic investigation. In the case of Wurster's blue, results from the dropping mercury electrode, stationary platinum electrode, and rotated platinum electrode are compared. The Wurster salt of p-phenylenediamine is unstable in aqueous solution but is fairly stable in a mixture of methanol, acetic acid, and water and the decrease of diffusion current with time indicates a disproportionation. Wurster's red is also unstable in aqueous solution. In the solvent methanol, acetic acid, and water, a wave is observed with the stationary platinum electrode whose E� compares favourably with the potentiometric E?0. Evidence from the three types of electrodes mentioned previously indicates two one-electron waves for Wurster's blue. The semiquinone formation constant qualitatively appears much greater than that reported from potentiometric work. Decrease of diffusion current with time is perhaps due to a disproportionation (the very unstable di-imine has been shown to revert to the radical in aqueous solution). Polarographic waves given by the Wurster salt of diaminodurene suggest that the radical does not exist in aqueous solution. Waves corresponding to the original amine and duroquinone (formed by hydrolysis of the di-imine) are obtained.


1955 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 51 ◽  
Author(s):  
JH Green ◽  
A Walkey

Current-voltage relationships have been determined for the electroreduction of dilute chromate solutions in a range of bicarbonate-carbonate buffers at the dropping mercury electrode. Double waves are obtained whose relative heights are a function of the pH value. By analogy with the behaviour of pyruvic acid an interface reaction with some proton donor prior to the reduction to the trivalent state is suggested (CrO42- +HB- → HCrO4- + B-). The rate constants for the interface reaction are computed for different donors by the method of Koutecky and Brdicka (1947). Adsorption-desorption processes in the region of the electrocapillary zero may account for the shape of the current-voltage curves, and, if so, the explanation based simply on an interface reaction will require modification. The occurrence of interface reactions and of adsorption-desorption processes in other inorganic systems is discussed.


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