POTENTIODYNAMIC EXAMINATION OF SURFACE PROCESSES AND KINETICS FOR AG2O/AGO/OH- SYSTEM

A detailed examination of the Ag2O/AgO/OH- system with linear potentiodynamic and trapezoidal potentiodynamic control of the electrode potential shows a non-stoichiometry for AgO formation with approximately 1 in 6 silver atoms in the Ag(III) state. An autocatalytic reaction accounts for the formation of AgO from Ag2O at constant potential, provided that the reaction is initiated by electrochemical production of a number of AgO sites. Reduction of AgO is a first-order reaction with a specific rate constant k = 3·2 ± 0·9 × 10-3 s-1, and a transfer coefficient α = 0·55. The reduction mechanism is Ag3+ + 2e- → Ag+ and is in agreement with results obtained using steady state conditions. © 1968.