Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Metal passivation prevention?

octave - 2-6-2008 at 18:24

In an electrochemical cell I've been experimenting with I have an iron anode. After about 20 minutes the cell just cuts off. I think this is due to the iron passivating by forming a protective iron oxide layer on its surface. Is there any way to prevent this?

Klute - 2-6-2008 at 23:56

What was the anolyte? I would think if you used dilute acid there wouldn't be any pasivation. Or just use PbO2 anode?

octave - 3-6-2008 at 03:33

The anolyte is NaOH and I have to use an iron anode :(. The only way I could get around using an iron anode and use somthing inert is switching the anolyte to a soluable iron salt/NaOH.

12AX7 - 3-6-2008 at 07:13

Iron or stainless should work fine as an anode in NaOH.

Tim