U.S.-Czech Republic collaboration on the mechanism of the electrochemical synthesis of sodium and potassium ferrate(VI) (Na2FeO4 and K2FeO4)

这是一个由分析和表面化学项目和国际科学与工程办公室支持的国际合作项目。合作的主要研究人员，佛罗里达州墨尔本佛罗里达理工学院的V.Sharma(FIT)和布拉格化学技术研究所的K.Bouzek试图了解高铁酸钠和高铁酸钾(Na2FeO4和K2FeO4)的电化学合成路线的机理。在高碱性溶液中，使用高硅含量的阳极材料合成高铁酸盐的电流效率在室温附近与碳化物铸铁的阳极相当。然而，在略高的温度下观察到反应效率的显著差异。这项研究计划试图揭示这两种阳极材料表面发生的过程的机理。将利用经典的电化学和电分析技术在不同的温度下进行实验，并测量高铁酸盐(VI)在碱性混合物中的溶解度。一个实用的目标是促进电化学溶液混合物中固体高铁酸盐(VI)的形成。高铁酸盐(VI)可用作环境友好的氧化剂、消毒剂和混凝剂，用于处理水生系统中新出现的污染物和毒素。其他潜在的应用包括工业“绿色”工艺，用于合成对环境更无害的产品。这一国际合作将促进美国和捷克研究小组之间的科学和教育互动。布拉格Bouzek集团的一名研究生将在Fit访问Sharma集团，以获得高铁酸盐化合物的化学合成经验。此外，Sharma集团的一名美国研究生将参观布拉格的合作实验室，学习关键的电化学技术，获得宝贵的国际经验。FIT项目还将至少有一名本科生研究人员参与。

This is an international collaborative program supported by the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program and the Office of International Science and Engineering. The collaborating principal investigators, V. Sharma of the Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Florida (FIT) and K. Bouzek, of the Institute of Chemical Technology, Prague seek to understand the mechanism of the electrochemical synthetic route of sodium and potassium ferrate(VI) (Na2FeO4 and K2FeO4). The current efficiency of the electrolytic ferrate(VI) synthesis in highly alkaline solutions using an anode material with high silicon content is comparable with an anode made of carbidic cast iron near room temperature. However, significant differences in reaction efficiency are observed at slightly higher temperatures. This research program seeks to reveal the mechanism of the processes occurring at the surfaces of these two anode materials. Classical electrochemical and electroanalytical techniques will be utilized to perform experiments at different temperatures, and the solubility of ferrate(VI) in alkaline mixtures will be measured. One practical goal is to enhance the formation of solid ferrate(VI) in electrochemical solution mixtures. The ferrate(VI) can be used as an environmentally friendly oxidant, disinfectant, and coagulant for treatment of emerging pollutants and toxins in aquatic systems. Other potential applications include industrial "green" processes for synthesizing environmentally more benign products. This international collaboration will facilitate scientific and educational interaction between US and Czech Republic research groups. A graduate student from the Bouzek group in Prague will visit the Sharma group at FIT to gain experience with the chemical synthesis of ferrate compounds. Also, a US graduate student from the Sharma group will visit the collaborating laboratory in Prague to learn key electrochemical techniques, gain invaluable international experience. The FIT program will also involve at least one undergraduate researcher.