SONOELECTROCHEMISTRY - THE EFFECTS OF ULTRASOUND ON ORGANIC ELECTROCHEMICAL REDUCTION

The influence of ultrasound on benzaldehyde and benzoquinone electrore duction in various solvents has been investigated with a new type of s onoelectroreactor characterized by the working electrode acting also a s the sonotrode. Both cyclic voltammetry and electrolysis at constant applied potential suggest that the electrode-solution interface and th e mass transport rate are considerably affected by ultrasonic irradiat ion. Rates of production of reduced organic compounds are generally en hanced via an increase of current intensity but no switch of reaction mechanism due to ultrasound is observed.