Cyclic voltammetric and spectroelectrochemical studies of copper in alkaline solution

Abstract

The behaviour of the electroplated copper film electrode on tin oxide/glass or glassy carbon surface was studied in potassium hydroxide medium by cyclic voltammetry and in situ transmission spectroelectrochemistry. The results indicate that the electroplated copper film electrode is similar to a copper electrode and cyclic voltammetry with this electrode affords more resolution. The anodic peaks were found to correspond successively to the adsorption of oxygen, the formation of a surface layer of Cu 2O, the formation of a surface layer of Cu(OH) 2 or CuO and formation of a thick multilayer film of CuO. This is the first time it has been proposed that a surface layer of Cu(OH) 2 or CuO is formed from the oxidation of the surface layer of Cu 2O. Similarly, a clear interpretation is presented that the cathodic peaks correspond successively to the reduction of CuO to Cu 2O, the reductions of Cu 2O to Cu and the soluble Cu(II) species to Cu. On the other hand, a shoulder peak related to the chemical transformation of Cu(OH) 2 to CuO was first observed.