Electrochemical Oxidation of Ammonia on Ir Anode in Potential Fixed Electrochemical Sensor

Abstract

Ir catalyst possesses a good electrocatalytic activity and selectivity for the oxidation of NH3 and/or NH4OH at Ir anode in the potential fixed electrochemical sensor with the neutral solution. Owing to the same electrochemical behavior of NH3 and NH4OH in a NaClO4 solution, NH4OH can be used instead of NH3 for the experimental convenience. It was found that the potential of the oxidation peak of NH4OH at the Ir/GC electrode in NaClO4 solutions is at about 0.85 V, and the current density of the oxidation peak of NH4OH is linearly proportional to the concentration of NH4OH. The electrocatalytic oxidation of NH4OH is diffusion-controlled. Especially, Ir has no electrocatalytic activity for the CO oxidation, illustrating that CO does not interfere in the measurement of NH4OH and the potential fixed electrochemical NH3 sensor with the neutral solution, and the anodic Ir catalyst possesses a good selectivity. Therefore, Ir may have practical application in the potential fixed electrochemical NH3 sensor with the neutral solution.