Abstract:

 The electrochemical reduction of nitrobenzene on the Cu/C-Nafion composite electrode was investigated. The reduction product was only aniline. The high selectivity was related to the weak acid medium at the electrode/Nafion interface and the slow diffusion of intermediates in the menbrane. The electrochemical process was controlled by the diffusion of some species, the current efficiency for aniline decreased with the current density and was dependent upon the dissolution of nitrobenzene in the membrane.

Key words: Solid polymer electrolyte, Nafiom membrane, Electrochemical reduction, Nitrobenzene, Aniline