New Electrochemical Preparation of Reactive Zinc with a Large Surface Area

Abstract

Abstract Reactive zinc was readily prepared by electrolysis of a DMF solution containing 0.1 M Et4NClO4 using a platinum cathode and a zinc anode. Characterization of the zinc metal showed that it was an aggregation of very fine, crystalline zinc particles with a specific surface area of 24 m2/g, which is 100 times larger than that of commercial zinc metals. Preparation of zinc with a much larger surface area of 56 m2/g could be achieved by electrolysis of the solution at a lower current density.