Electrochemical reduction of NO and O2 on Cu/CuO

The electrochemical reduction of NO and O-2 on a Cu-point electrode covered with a surface layer of CuO is investigated in an electrochemical cell with a gadolinium doped cerium oxide oxygen ion conducting electrolyte in the temperature interval 300-500 C-degrees. It is shown that the reduction of NO on CuO is possible at a lower overvoltage than it is in the case of the reduction of O-2. The results indicate that the reduction of NO on CuO is not inhibited in the presence of O-2 and that the reduction of NO can be selectively performed on a CuO-electrode.