Electrochemical reduction of nitrate in the presence of ytterbium(III)

Nitrogen Cycle Electrocatalysis

“…Besides transition and coinage metals, there have been a few studies of nitrate reduction in acidic media on “poor metals” such as mercury, indium, cadmium, and tin. , In agreement with Vijh’s assertion that there is a relation between the overpotential for hydrogen evolution and nitrate reduction, these metals have a high overpotential for the reduction of nitrate. Very recently, Kyriacou and co-workers − made the interesting observation that at very negative potentials (−2.8 V vs Ag/AgCl), tin is able to reduce nitrate to dinitrogen with very high selectivity (>90%).…”

“…Besides transition and coinage metals, there have been a few studies of nitrate reduction in acidic media on "poor metals" such as mercury, 317 indium, 318 cadmium, 319 and tin. 320,321 In agreement with Vijh's assertion 303 that there is a relation between the overpotential for hydrogen evolution and nitrate reduction, these metals have a high overpotential for the reduction of nitrate.…”

Electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate – a step towards a sustainable nitrogen cycle

“…83 The final product, HNO 2 , can be obtained by the reaction of two NO species with N 2 O 4 in an aqueous media following the pathway illustrated in eqn (31). In fact, some authors consider eqn (32) as a preferential pathway. 84,85 HNO 2 + H + 2 NO + + H 2 O, pK a = 3.29 (29) NO + + e À -NO (30)…”

“…Additionally, earlier studies on electrocatalytic nitrate reduction mainly focused on polarographic measurements, which demonstrated the role of d-orbital electrons in enhancing charge injection of the lowest vacancy molecular orbital of nitrate. [31][32][33] Therefore, electrocatalytic nitrate reduction studies have recently focused on metal catalysts with highly occupied d-orbitals and unclosed d-orbital shells, such as noble metals (Pd, Pt, Ru, Ag, and Au) and other non-noble metals (Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu). Fig.…”

Determination of Ytterbium Traces by Cathodic Stripping Voltammetry

“…Comparing with other supporting electrolytes (NaCl, NaClO 4 , KNO 3 , etc.) reduction currents showed to be much larger [7]. That fact can be explained in terms of the much higher proton donating capacity of NH 4 Cl as well as possibly the faster rate of diffusion of nitrate to the electrode-solution interface, which is the case in the described redox system.…”