Electroreduction of alkali metal cations. Part 2.—Effects of electrode composition

Abstract

Kinetic data for the electroreduction of alkali metal cations in dimethylformamide and acetonitrile are reported at a variety of indium amalgam electrodes and at a gallium–indium electrode (eutectic composition). The kinetic parameters were found to depend markedly on the nature of the electrode material in which the product alkali metal is soluble. The data are discussed on the basis of a model in which adsorption of the metal cation on the electrode and transfer of the cation from the solution phase to the metal phase are assumed to be the rate-controlling steps. This model provides an excellent description of the variation in the kinetic parameters with electrode composition and potential.