Catalytic activity for nitrate electroreduction of nano-structured polypyrrole films electrochemically synthesized onto a copper electrode

Thi Phuong Thoa Nguyen, Viet Thinh Nguyen and Viet Hai Le

Abstract

Polypyrrole film was synthesized electrochemically onto a copper electrode in oxalate, oxalic acid and salicylic acid solutions. The electrochemical oxidation of pyrrole to form polypyrrole film and the electroreduction of nitrate and nitrite ions at synthesized Ppy modified copper electrodes (Ppy/Cu) in potassium chloride aqueous solutions were studied by cyclic voltammetry. Polypyrrole nano-porous film formation and the activity of the modified Ppy/Cu electrode for nitrate reduction were found to be dependent on the synthesis medium and conditions: pH; content and concentrations of the electrolytes; pyrrole concentration; electrode potential; electrolysis duration; drying time and temperature for finishing the Ppy/Cu electrode and immersion time in water for storing the Ppy/Cuelectrode before use. High catalytic activity for nitrate reduction was found for composite electrodes with nano-porous structured Ppy films. The Ppy/Cu electrodes prepared in oxalate buffer and salicylic acid solutions perform more stable catalytic activity for nitrate reduction; their service life is about ten times longer than for an electrode prepared in oxalic acid solution.