THE CATHODIC AND ANODIC BEHAVIOR OF COPPER IN N,N-DIMETHYLFORMAMIDE WATER MIXTURES

The cathodic and anodic behaviours of copper were investigated in different N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF)-water mixtures. Oxygen reduction and the reduction of the water are found to occur consecutively at the copper cathode. The onset potential for water reduction reaction showed dependence on the solvent composition and has been explained in terms of the changes in viscosity and of the accompanying solution structure. The anodic polarization curves of copper differed in each solvent composition and the behaviour is tried to be understood in terms of selective solvation of metal ions. The results obtained under various experimental conditions like deaeration and temperature variation showed limiting nature of the current and oxygen reduction can be diffusion controlled process in cathodic region.