Electrochemical Reactions in a Pure Na2 SO 4 Melt

Abstract

Cyclic voltammetry and chronopotentiometry were used to study the electrochemical reduction reactions of gas, and ions in a melt at 900°C. The reduction reaction of follows a ce mechanism: first reacts chemically with to form and then proceeds via a one‐electron electrochemical reduction reaction to form . The reduction of peroxide ions forms either O2− or both O2− and superoxide ions. Sulfate ions are subjected to decomposition at either very positive or very negative potentials. At very high positive potentials, sulfate ions decompose to evolve and gases, in addition superoxide ions are also formed. At very negative potentials, sulfate ions decompose to form sulfide and peroxide.