ELECTROCHEMICAL BEHAVIOUR OF OXYGEN AND HYDROGEN PEROXIDE ON ALUMINUM, TANTALUM AND ZIRCONIUM ELECTRODES

Abstract : The cathodic reduction of O and H2O2 on Al, Ta, and Zr was studied by means of a polarization cell and an electronic potentiostat. Al, Ta and Zr, although covered by an oxide layer, actedAS CATHODE FOR THE PROCESSES OF O and H2O2 reduction. Overvoltage valves and the polarization curves are listed. The results obtained on these 3 metals are compared with those previously obtained on Ti. Overvoltages for cathodic reduction of O decrease in the following order: Zr, Ta, Ti for acid; Al, Ta, Zr, Ti for neutral; and Zr, Ti, Ta for alkaline solutions. These results indicate that the dangers of galvanic corrosion with Zr and Ta are less than those for Ti.