Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
Since electrons are used as a reagent, the
use of hazardous reagents can be avoided,
i.e. electrode reactions are low-emission
processes.
Electrode reactions proceed under mild
conditions such as room temperature and
normal pressure.
Electrode reactions can be started or
stopped readily by on-off switch of the
power supply, i.e. electrode reaction control
is easy.
The scale effect is generally small.
Electrode reactions are redox reactions through
electron transfer between a substrate molecule
and an electrode. The main reaction field is an
electrode surface (solid-liquid interface) or
near the electrode surface, and the surface has
an extremely large electrical field, which is quite
different from ordinary redox reactions on
heterogeneous catalysts. Electrode reactions
therefore take place in highly unique fields.
Using a chemical redox reaction as an example,
the difference between an ordinary chemical
reaction and an electrode reaction will be
explained in detail. Figure 4.1a shows the
reduction of substrate B by reducing reagent A .
When an activated complex is formed or A and
B approach each other closely enough for
electron transfer, electron transfer from A to B
takes place. Next, reductant A is transformed to
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