Electrochemical Behavior of H[sub 2]O in Nonaqueous Electrolyte

The electrochemical behavior of trace quantities of water (1–30 mM) in solutions was studied via chronopotentiometric and cyclic voltammetric techniques. It was observed that, with platinum electrodes, the chronopotentiometric constant increased with increasing current density up to a constant limiting value at high current densities. Analysis of the cyclic voltammetric results showed analogous behavior. The reaction product of reduction was inferred to be a porous, insoluble film of . This layer apparently acts to block part of the electrode surface thereby increasing the effective current density, decreasing Τ and hence . From the concentration dependence of and of it was further inferred that strong complexes were formed between water and Li+ ion which decreased the activity coefficient of . Current reversal subsequent to the reduction step showed an oxidation step which may be associated with an adsorbed film of atomic hydrogen on the platinum surface.