A Polarographic Method for the Indirect Determination of Polarization Curves for Oxygen Reduction on Various Metals

Abstract

An indirect method for detg. polarization curves for the electrolytic reduction of O is described and applied to Pt. The electrode, on which the O reduction is studied, is polarized at a const. potential in a closed vessel contg. a soln. initially satd. with air. The O concn. is detd. by the polarographic method at various time intervals. The current for O reduction is calcd. from these data. The complete polarization curve is detd. by repeating the expt. for several values of the potential of the electrode. The contributions of the 2 and 4 electron reduction processes, i.e., reductions of O to H2O2 and to H2O, resp., are also calcd. Equil. conditions for the electrolytic reduction of O are derived from thermodynamic data. [on SciFinder (R)]