Electrochemical dissolution of Тс–Ru alloys in nitric acid solutions

Abstract

Electrochemical dissolution of Тс–19 wt % Ru, Тс–45 wt % Ru, and Тс–70 wt % Ru in 1 to 6 M HNO₃ solutions in the amperostatic mode was studied. In the solutions formed from anodic dissolution of Тс–Ru alloys, Ru is present in the form of Ru(IV), and Тс, in the form of Тс(VII). A kinetic study of the electrochemical dissolution of the Тс–70 wt % Ru alloy in the examined interval of HNO₃ concentrations showed that the alloy dissolved congruently and the Тс(VII) and Ru(IV) accumulation in the solution linearly depended on time. Anodic dissolution of Tc–Ru alloys with lower Ru content was also characterized by a linear increase in the Тс(VII) concentration in the solution with time. On the other hand, formation of poorly soluble hydrated Ru(IV) oxide on the electrode surface was observed simultaneously with accumulation of soluble Ru(IV) species in solution. The rate of electrochemical dissolution of the Тс–70 wt % Ru alloy linearly increased with increasing HNO₃ concentration. The rates of electrochemical dissolution of Tc, determined for alloys with lower Ru content, were independent of the HNO₃ concentration in the electrolyte. Oxidation of water with the evolution of oxygen on the surface of Tc–Ru alloys was observed simultaneously with the anodic dissolution of Tc and Ru. This process leads to a decrease in the current efficiency of the Tc and Ru dissolution. Examination of the corrosion damage of the working electrode surfaces by scanning electron microscopy shows that the electrochemical dissolution of Tc–Ru alloys leads to uniform corrosion of their surface.