Mechanism of anodic dissolution of intermetallic compound CdSb in concentrated KOH solutions

Anodic behavior of intermetallic compound CdSb is studied in concentrated s olutions of KOH. Anodic oxidation of CdSb in 8.1 M KOH at potentials more n egative than the equilibrium potential of antimony is shown to occur select ively by the electronegative component, cadmium. At more positive potential s, the primary selective dissolution of Cd is followed by a simultaneous io nization of both components. Upon reaching a certain concentration of ions of Sb(3+), anodic dissolution of CdSb in the near-electrode layer occurs co ncurrently with the reduction of these ions to metallic antimony, which for ms own phase on the alloy's surface; i.e., there takes place pseudoselectiv e dissolution.