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Electrolytic formation of phosphine from red phosphorus in aqueous solutions

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Abstract

Data are presented on the current-voltage behavior of red phosphorus suspensions at gold, platinum, lead, and cadmium cathodes in a 1.0 M Na2CO3 solution. In experiments with a red phosphorus suspension in alkaline solutions, the formal current efficiency for phosphine was 3–8%, while the current efficiency for hydrogen approached 100%. Similar results were obtained with cathodes produced by pressing a mixture of red phosphorus and graphitized soot. Sonication was found to accelerate the reaction between suspended phosphorus and NaOH, but it did not raise the electrolysis efficiency. The conclusion is made that red phosphorus is electrochemically inactive and that phosphine is formed through the reaction of phosphorus with the alkali present in increased concentration at the cathode.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Research Institute of Organic Chemistry and Technology, sh. Entuziastov 23, Moscow, 111024, Russia

    N. N. Shalashova, M. K. Smirnov, V. V. Turygin, A. V. Khudenko & A. P. Tomilov

  2. Kurnakov Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninskii pr. 31, Moscow, 119991, Russia

    S. V. Nikolashin, M. N. Brekhovskikh & V. A. Fedorov

Authors
  1. N. N. Shalashova
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  2. M. K. Smirnov
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  3. S. V. Nikolashin
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  4. V. V. Turygin
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  5. A. V. Khudenko
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  6. M. N. Brekhovskikh
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  7. V. A. Fedorov
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  8. A. P. Tomilov
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Additional information

Original Russian Text © N.N. Shalashova, M.K. Smirnov, S.V. Nikolashin, V.V. Turygin, A.V. Khudenko, M.N. Brekhovskikh, V.A. Fedorov, A.P. Tomilov, 2006, published in Neorganicheskie Materialy, 2006, Vol. 42, No. 3, pp. 278–283.

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Shalashova, N.N., Smirnov, M.K., Nikolashin, S.V. et al. Electrolytic formation of phosphine from red phosphorus in aqueous solutions. Inorg Mater 42, 236–241 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0020168506030046

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0020168506030046

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