ELECTRODEPOSITION OF ALKALI-METALS ON SOLID AND LIQUID MERCURY-ELECTRODES

Electrodeposition of alkali metals on Hg/Au electrodes from non-aqueous solutions was studied using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. At temperatures of 20 to -70-degrees-C the formation of bulk intermetallic compounds preceded by nucleation phenomena was observed. Stoichiometry of the solid phases formed under these conditions was determined. At very low temperatures, when the mobility of mercury atoms was restricted, the underpotential deposition of alkali metal ions on solid mercury electrodes was noted. The Gibbs energies of electrosorption are discussed in terms of interactions between alkali metals and mercury.