Influence of anode material on current yield during ferrate(vi) production by anodic iron dissolution Part II: Current efficiency during anodic dissolution of white cast iron to ferrate(vi) in concentrated alkali hydroxide solutions

Abstract

The dependence of the current efficiency for the oxidation of a white cast iron anode to ferrate(vi) ions in 14 m NaOH was measured in the region of bubble induced convection for the temperature range 10 to 50 °C. Using a white cast iron anode the highest current yield obtained after 3 h of electrolysis was 55% at a current density of 8 mA cm⁻² and a temperature of 20°C. The anode was activated by cathodic prepolarization. The iron concentration in low oxidation states contained in the post electrolysis solution increased with temperature over the whole temperature range studied. This concentration was almost 10 times higher than in the case of grey cast iron reported earlier. The dependence of ferrate(vi) current yield on the hydroxide concentration was studied in the range 5 to 16 m. The optimum concentration was found to be 14 m. The quasisteady state anodic polarization curve of white cast iron anode in the transpassive potential region was measured. This shows the start of oxygen evolution occurring at higher potentials compared to grey cast iron.