The anodic dissolution of molybdenum in alkaline solutions — X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies

Abstract

Molybdenum electrodes have been studied by X.P.S. after polarisation in 0.50 mol dm −3 sodium hydroxide solutions. The presence of different molybdenum species on the metal surface with increasing electrode potential is confirmed. These may be assigned to molybdenum-(IV), (VI) and tentatively to molybdenum(III). The presence of these species and the thickness of the layer is discussed with respect to electrochemical data.