DC Voltammetry of Electro-deoxidation of Solid Oxides

The article reviews the research available to understand the behavior of different oxides during the course of the electrode-oxidation process. Electrorefining is a frequently used electrometallurgical technique. Traditionally, electrorefining involves the purification of metals by anodically dissolving the impure metal, followed by plating-out of pure metals on the cathode. The classical controlled voltage in a two-electrode system was the first electrochemical technique used by FFC-Cambridge process researchers. The voltage across the cathode-anode pair was adjusted to maintain the potential difference below that required to decompose the salt but high enough to break the anion-cation bond in the oxide cathode. Under such conditions, the current is flowing at a rate proportional to rate the electrochemical reactions to satisfy the cell voltage. Recording the behavior of the current over the electrolysis time was used to deduce the electrode reactions of which the current is a response.