In Situ Spectroelectrochemical Studies on Anodic Oxidation of Copper in Alkaline Solution

Spectroelectrochemical studies have been perfomed on anodic oxidation of copper in using a near normal incidence reflectance spectroelectrochemical (NNMRS) technique, and the results are reported. The results indicate that the anodic oxidation product film formed on the electrode surface can be identified and that their chemical transformations can be followed by recording spectra in situ . It is shown by this technique that hydroxides of Cu(I) and Cu(II) are first formed by anodic oxidation at corresponding potentials, and they transform to oxides upon aging.