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Specificity of anodic processes in cyclic voltammetry to the type of carbon used in electrolysis of cryolite-alumina melts

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Abstract

Anodic processes associated with oxidation of carbon anodes used in electrolysis of cryolite-alumina melts, simulating the Hall-Héroult process, were studied by means of cyclic voltammetry in a comparative way at four graphitic carbon materials and at glassy carbon. Conditions were sought that give a current response function characteristic of diffusion-controlled oxidation of the anode by O2− or oxyfluoride complex anions. Only at glassy carbon anodes are such conditions realized with a linear relation between response current in cyclic voltammetry and Al2O3 content in the melt. At the graphitic materials, complex mixed activation and diffusion controlled processes arise that are also relatively irreproducible from one experiment to the next, probably due to irreversible changes of the graphite surfaces. The effects of aluminium metal dissolved in the melt, to simulate practical smelter cell conditions, were also evaluated.

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Author notes

  1. S. S. Djokić

    Present address: Sherritt Inc., T8L 3W4, Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Ottawa, KIN 6N5, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

    S. S. Djokić & B. E. Conway

  2. Alcan International Ltd, Arvida Research and Development Centre, G7S 4K8, Jonquière, Quebéc, Canada

    T. F. Belliveau

Authors
  1. S. S. Djokić
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  2. B. E. Conway
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  3. T. F. Belliveau
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Djokić, S.S., Conway, B.E. & Belliveau, T.F. Specificity of anodic processes in cyclic voltammetry to the type of carbon used in electrolysis of cryolite-alumina melts. JOURNAL OF APPLIED ELECTROCHEMISTRY 24, 827–834 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00348770

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