The oxidation of ammonium sulphate solutions by silver(II) oxide

Abstract

The oxidation by silver(II) oxide of ammonium sulphate solutions varying in concentration from 0.1 to 1.0M has been studied in the temperature range 40-60°. The products of the oxidation were found to be nitrogen and nitrate ions in solutions of pH greater than 3, the proportion of nitrogen formed increasing with pH. With solutions having a pH less than 3, the products formed were oxygen and nitrate ions, the proportion of nitrate decreasing rapidly with increasing acidity. The kinetics of the reaction have been examined and a possible mechanism is discussed.