The kinetics of copper dissolution in acetonitrile-water copper(II) solutions

Pang, J., Ritchie, I.M. and Giles, D.E. (1975) The kinetics of copper dissolution in acetonitrile-water copper(II) solutions. Electrochimica Acta, 20 (12). pp. 923-928.

Abstract

The rate of dissolution of rotating copper discs in acidified copper(II) solutions prepared in an acetonitrile-water solvent (mole fraction acetonitrile = 0.·25) was measured in the temperature range 270–360 K. The rate of dissolution was found to be proportional to the square root of the rotation speed and to have an activation energy of 18 ± 2kJ mol−1. The reaction is therefore considered to be diffusion controlled.

The reduction of copper(II) to copper(I) on a rotating platinum electrode, and the oxidation of copper(O) to copper(I) on a rotating copper electrode, were investigated. These two reactions together make up the dissolution reaction. From the intersection of the polarization curves, it was confirmed that the dissolution reaction was diffusion controlled. Dissolution rates calculated from the electrochemical measurements agreed with the kinetic measurements. Estimates of some electrochemical parameters in the acetonitrile mixed solvent were made.

The surface characteristics of annealed and unannealed copper discs which had been etched in the copper(II) solution are discussed briefly.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Murdoch Affiliation(s):	School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Publisher:	Elsevier
Copyright:	© 1975 Elsevier Ltd.
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/21736

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