FORMATION OF MONO N-CHLORAMINE BY ELECTROLYSIS OF AMMONIUM-CHLORIDE IN AQUEOUS AMMONIACAL SOLUTIONS

The formation of mono N-Chloramine by electrolysis of ammonium chloride in aqueous ammoniacal solution was studied versus the concentrations of [NH4+], [NH3], [Cl-], current density and time at 273.1 K. The cells, with or without porous diaphragm, were provided with platinum electrodes. According to experimental conditions a current yield in chloramine between 50 and 78 % was obtained. With high ammonia concentration the formation of hydrazine was observed. A mechanism is proposed where hypochlorite ions are formed by an electrochemical process and react with ammonia to give monochloramine. A cathodic reduction of monochloramine occurs at -0.35 V/SCE.