ELECTROCHEMISTRY IN MOLTEN HYDROXIDES - SYNTHESIS OF NACUO2

An effort to produce highly oxidized copper oxides by electro-deposition in NaOH/KOH melts has resulted in the discovery of a new synthetic route to the Cu3+ compound NaCuO2. Crystals were grown on a platinum-wire working electrode over a range of temperatures (200-300°C) and applied current (-2.0 to -15.0 mA). The products were pure and single phase as confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The isolation of NaCuO2 indicates that electrolysis in hydroxide melts is a useful method for the preparation of highly oxidized copper oxide materials. © 1994 Academic Press, Inc.