Mechanism of the Current Doubling Effect. I. The ZnO Photoanode in Aqueous Solution of Sodium Formate

Article abstract of DOI:10.1246/bcsj.54.1671

Current doubling mechanism of the photoanodic reaction of sodium formate at the ZnO electrode is re-examined.Quantitative analysis of the reaction products revealed that ZnO electrode corroded during the current doubling reaction, which has not been previously reported.However, zinc ions were formed with about 50percent of current efficiency.Carbon dioxide, instead of oxygen, was formed during the reaction.These experimental observations strongly suggested mechanism proposed by earlier workers were incorrect.A new mechanism is proposed.