Effect of nitrite anions on the rate of iron dissolution in acid electrolytes

The effect of the concentration of nitrite ions, potential, pH and solution stirring on the dissolution rate of iron was studied. Nitrite ions were sh own to accelerate active dissolution. The accelerating action of the oxidan t depends on the ratio of the rates of electroreduction at the electrode su rface and homogenous chemical reduction in the reaction layer adjacent to t he electrode. A possible mechanism of oxidant action on the iron dissolutio n is considered. The electroreduction process is assumed to generate at the iron surface an activated complex accelerating metal dissolution.