Equilibration processes in alkaline Cu | Cu(II), glycine system

The nature and kinetics of the equilibrium processes at the interface between the copper electrode and the alkaline solution containing glycine complexes of Cu(II) have been studied. The material balance equations that consider the formation of Сu(I) complexes were used to calculate the composition of the equilibrium system. It was found that the amount of Сu(I) compounds increases with increasing the pH and ligand concentration. Using the EQCM method it was found that the electrochemical dissolution of Cu electrode proceeds under open circuit conditions at potentials 60–70 mV higher than their equilibrium values. The generation of Cu+ ions obeys the laws of pseudo-first order processes at a rate constant of ~2 × 10–4 s–1. It is assumed that the final product of the equilibration is a monoligand complex of CuL (L– is a glycinate anion). Besides, there is a thermodynamic probability of the formation of cuprous oxide in the system.