Voltammetric study of the mercury dissolution reaction mechanism at solid electrodes
Abstract
Stripping voltammetry with collection at a rotating platinum ring - glassy carbon disc electrode was used for the elucidation of the mechanism of the electrochemical dissolution of a mercury film from a solid electrode. In complexing electrolytes, the dissolution of mercury gives rise to the formation of divalent mercury ions. In non-complexing electrolytes, the initial product of the electrodissolution of metallic mercury is also mercury(II), which reacts with as yet unoxidised mercury atoms present on the electrode surface to give mercury(I) ions. Consequently, mercury(I) ions are formed as a result of a reproportionation reaction following the electrochemical oxidation of mercury to mercury(II).
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