AC Electrochemical Copper and Aluminum Oxidation in Sodium Acetate Solutions

Abstract

Electrochemical copper and aluminum oxidation using alternating current of industrial frequency was carried out in an aqueous sodium acetate solution. Simultaneous oxidation of metals accelerates copper oxidation, but does not significantly influence the aluminium oxidation rate. It results in the preparation of the copper-aluminum oxide system with a high content of copper oxide (up to 70 wt %). High energy consumption due to the voltage loss to overcome the resistance of the oxidation product layer on the electrode surface considerably limits the process and its product application. Furthermore, the chemical aluminum oxidation in alkaline medium of an aqueous sodium acetate solution instead of electrochemical one does not result in the power-saturated, nanosized metal oxide formation. The results obtained do not only underline the new technology of nanomaterial production, but also allow scientists to consider the mechanisms of the metal oxidation AC-process.