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Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Generation and Control of Electrohydrodynamic Flows in Aqueous Electrolyte Solutions
Published on: September 7, 2018
[Physico-chemical properties of aqueous solutions, prepared in a membrane electrolyzer]
I Iu Petrushanko1, V I Lobyshev
1Physical Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Vorob'evy Gory, Moscow, 119992 Russia.
Abstract:
The physicochemical properties of aqueous solutions resulting from membrane electrolysis were studied. It was shown that the catholyte contains hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of 10(-7), which is formed during the reduction of soluble oxygen. It was found that the relaxation of the catholyte redox potential is caused by the transition of the reducing agent to the gaseous phase. The relaxation characteristics of the redox potentials of the catholyte and molecular hydrogen solution were compared. The similarity of the relaxation characteristics of the catholyte and the hydrogen solution as well as the fact that the catholyte, despite its low redox potential, does not reduce either potassium ferricyanide or 5-5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) support the suggestion that the redox potential of the catholyte is due to molecular hydrogen. However, based on this suggestion, it is impossible to explain the increase in the relaxation time of the catholyte with increasing ionic strength and the fact that, as the redox potential of the catholyte decreases, the concentration of other gases dissolved in the catholyte remains unchanged. Thus, the question regarding the nature of the reducing agent remains open.
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