Electrochemical ammonia oxidation is of interest in waste treatment as well as in electrochemical sensing applications and demonstrated here at a carbon nanofibre (''bucky-paper'') electrode. The electrode is placed at the aqueous electrolyte | gas interface, and current (cyclic voltammetry) as well as ambient differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS, cyclic voltbarometry) data are recorded as a function of solution composition and pH. The oxidation of oxalate to CO 2 is employed as a test and calibration system. Anodic polarization of the carbon nanofibre membrane in inert aqueous electrolyte is shown to result in direct sustained anodic CO 2 evolution. In alkaline aqueous media (starting at pH 9) significant levels of nitrogen from ammonia are produced in competition to CO 2 formation from carbon nanofibres without the need for additional catalysts. However, for applications with low level ammonia, catalysts will be required to minimize current losses, carbon nanofibre corrosion, and side product formation.
ReagentsChemical reagents such as Na 2 SO 4 , (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 , Na 2 (C 2 O 4 ), and NaOH were obtained from Sigma-Aldrich in analytical reagent grade and used without further purification. Demineralised and
The electrochemical oxidation of formic acid to CO 2 is facile at nano-palladium catalysts. In conventional electrochemical systems this process is conducted in aqueous phase and the resulting formation of poorly soluble CO 2 gas can limit the kinetics. Here, an alternative electrochemical system with the gas phase in closer contact to the palladium nanoparticle catalyst is investigated based on a glassy carbon electrode and a solid salt electrolyte. It is demonstrated that the reaction zone of salt (here (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 is most effective), palladium nanoparticle catalyst, and gas phase, is where the electrochemical oxidation process occurs. The effects of the type of salt, the partial pressure of formic acid, and the gas flow rate are investigated. Preliminary data for the oxidation of hydrogen gas at the salt|palladium|electrode contact are reported. A significant salt effect on the palladium catalysed reactions is observed and potential future applications of ''salt cells'' in sensing are discussed.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.