Electrochemical Oscillatory Phenomena in the O₂/O₂⁻ Redox Reaction on Hg-Coated Gold Electrodes in Quinoline Media

Abstract

Electrochemical oscillatory phenomena were first observed on mercury electrodes (including a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE), and liquid and solid Hg-coated gold electrodes) in the redox reaction of the O₂/O₂⁻ (superoxide ion) couple in quinoline media. The current oscillation occurred during the reoxidation process of the electrogenerated O₂⁻. It was found that the observed oscillation is really irregular, complicated and affected by many experimental factors such as electrode substrate, concentration of O₂⁻ (and O₂), the rate and range of potential scan in cyclic voltammetry. A probable explanation for the observed oscillation is given.