Electro-reduction of Cr(III) ions under the effects of complexing agents and Fe(II) ions

In this paper, the effects of complexing agents (oxalic acid and glycine) and Fe(II) ions on the electro-reduction of Cr(III) ions are studied carefully. Based on the electrochemical analyses, both the complexing agents and Fe(II) ions can obviously decrease the cathodic polarization in the electro-reduction of Cr(III) ions, and the Fe(II) ions can also be co-deposited with Cr(III) ions. One water molecule in [Cr(III)(H 2 O) 6 ] 3+ ion is substituted by one oxalic acid or glycine to form an electrochemically active penta-aqua-Cr(III) coordination ion. In situ infrared spectroscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy reveal the typical induced-deposition mechanism of ferrochrome alloy. Fe(II) ions are firstly reduced to Fe crystal nuclei, then Cr and Fe atoms grow on the Fe nuclei to form ferrochrome alloy.