Oxygen Ions in Individual Nitrate Melts

Abstract

Sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate melts were electrolytically reduced using a Ag+/Ag reference electrode and a platinum working electrode in platinum cells. Cyclic voltammograms recorded for the nitrate melts are presented and discussed. Electrolysis was carried out for the individual melts and the products identified chemically. The experimental data indicate the preferential formation of peroxide in NaNO3 and superoxide in KNO3 besides the primary reduction product, nitrate. Preliminary results on the colored platinum complex formed in the nitrate melts during electrollysis are also presented.