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Silver Nanoparticle Catalysed NO3- Reduction Characterised with a Hydrodynamic Generator-Collector SPCE System

Richard Webster 1Frank Marken 1Matthew Jones 1David J. Fermin 2Robert J. Potter 3

1. University of Bath, Department of Chemistry, Claverton Down, Bath BA2-7AY, United Kingdom
2. Bristol University, School of Chemistry, Bristol BS8-1TS, United Kingdom
3. Johnson Matthey Technology Centre, Sonning Common, Reading RG-9NH, United Kingdom

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles are synthesised employing the tannin method and deposited onto the screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) with a solvent evaporation process. Cyclic voltammetry allows the amount (or total surface area) for nanoparticle assemblies to be determined. The silver nanoparticle aggregates are catalytically active for the reduction of nitrate to nitrite1, 2 in aqueous 0.1 M NaOH. In order to investigate the efficiency and kinetics of the nanoparticle catalysed process, a hydrodynamic flow cell was designed and fabricated.

  Webster_Graphic1.png            

The flow cell allowed the reaction solution to be flowed across the SPCE and with the help of the Fe(CN)64-/3- redox system the diffusion layer thickness was calibrated. In the generator–collector mode, efficiency of the product formation was calibrated. For the nitrate reduction, close to 100% current efficiency was determined and the diffusion-controlled reduction was observed with a sufficiently high amount of the catalyst.

[1] D. Kim, I. B. Goldberg, and J. W. Judy, Analyst 2007, 132, 350-357.

[2] J. Krista, M. Kopanica, and L. Novotny, Electroanalysis 2000, 12, 199-204.

 

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Related papers

Presentation: Short communication at SMCBS'2009 International Workshop, by Richard Webster
See On-line Journal of SMCBS'2009 International Workshop

Submitted: 2009-08-24 16:49
Revised:   2009-09-04 16:26