Preparation and electrochemical properties of the Pd-modified Cu electrode for nitrate reduction in water

The Pd-modified Cu (Pd/Cu) electrodes for nitrate reduction were prepared using electro-deposition method at different potentials. Compared with other different electrodes so far studied in our work (Cu, Sn/Cu and Pd/Ti electrode) using cyclic voltammetry method, Pd/Cu electrode showed the highest electrocatalytic capacity of nitrate reduction. It was found that at more negative electrode potential the smaller Pd particles formed on the Cu. electrode, which was beneficial to the nitrate reduction. With increasing deposition amount of Pd, the capacity of nitrate reduction increased. Too rich Pd, however, has a negative influence on the capacity of nitrate reduction. In our study, the maximum nitrate reduction current was 2.07 mA/cm(2), when electrodeposition potential of Pd was -0.3 V and deposition amount was 0.9 C.