THE INFLUENCE OF ALKYLAMMONIUM CATION ON THE HYDROGEN EVOLUTION REACTION ON PT ELECTRODE

The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) on platinum electrode in pure mo lten alkylammonium fluoroborates has been studied using impedance, rel axation and galvanostatic methods. It was found that the HER on Pt in molten alkylammonium fluoroborates is much slower than in aqueous acid ic solutions. The rate of the HER depends on the surface concentration of alkylammonium cations and is independent of the bulk concentration of H+ ions. The discharge of alkylammonium cations is postulated. The kinetics of the HER on Pt in the ethyl- and diethylamine fluoroborate s is similar whereas it differs in the triethylamine fluoroborate. The necessity of reorientation of alkylammonium cations before a discharg e reaction is postulated.