Anodic Dissolution of Iron in Ammoniacal Ammonium Carbonate Solution

Abstract

The electrochemical behavior of iron has been characterized in aqueous ammoniacal ammonium carbonate solution. Pure iron anodically polarized in He‐ or solutions exhibits both stable active (, SHE) and passive regions. A cathodic loop was observed in the potential range of −380 to 100 mV. It is suggested, on the basis of cathodic polarization curves of a graphite electrode in various concentrations of ammoniacal solution, that the cathodic loop is due to oxygen discharge. The addition of to the ammoniacal solution has the same effect as oxygen in that it increases the cathodic current and potential range of the cathodic loop and, as such, functions as a strong oxidant.