Characterization of the Redox reaction of V(V) in Ammonia Buffers with Square-Wave Voltammetry

Abstract

The redox reaction of V(V) in ammonia buffer solution of pH = 8.60 was studied by means of square-wave (SWV) and cyclic (CV) voltammetry. The redox reaction studied exhibits properties of a surface redox process in which both reactant and product of the redox reaction are immobilized to the electrode surface. A mathematical model for the electrode mechanism proposed was developed under conditions of square-wave voltammetry. In agreement with the theoretical findings, the phenomena of split SW peaks and quasireversible maximum are demonstrated experimentally. These unique features of the SWV response of a surface redox reaction are utilized for characterization of the redox process of V(V) in ammonia buffer. The following values of the kinetic parameters of the investigated redox reaction were estimated: standard rate constant &s = 120 ± 10 s1 and electron transfer coefficient a = 0.4 ± 0.05. The formal potential of the redox couple V(V)/V(IV) in ammonia buffer with pH = 8.6 is E° = -0.56 V vs. Ag/AgCl (sat. KC1).