L'effet d'anode lors de l'électrolyse des sels fondus—II. Étude potentio-statique avec analyse des gaz

Abstract

By electrolysing NaF-ZrF 4-ZrO 2 mixtures in a potentiostatic regime and analysing the gas evolved at the carbon anode, we have observed a rise in the CO 2 content with increase of cd. CO 2 is probably the major gas primarily evolved; it reacts partially with the anode by the Boudouard reaction to give CO. Further, CF 4 is found in the anode gas when the anode effect is present at high cell pds (50–60 V). A brief discussion of the possible causes of the anode effect shows that two may be discarded because they cannot explain all the experimental facts. A phenomenological interpretation of the anode effect, which best corresponds to the experimental observations, is given. The reasons for the persistence of the effect and the conditions for its elimination are discussed.