A laboratory
experiment for undergraduate students who are studying homogeneous
and heterogeneous electron-transfer reactions is described. Heterogeneous
or electrode reaction kinetics can be examined by using the electrochemical
reduction of three FeIII/FeII redox couples
at platinum and glassy carbon disk electrodes. Cyclic voltammetric
measurement is suitable for determining the electrode-reaction rate
constants. The dependence of the rate constant on the electrode materials
enables the students to discriminate and discuss the mechanism of
the electrode reaction. The experiment is completed in a 5-h laboratory
period for pairs of students in analytical chemistry lab class. This
material is also suitable for an inorganic chemistry lab class.
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