Depolarisator

Fig. 6. Calculated optical absorption spectra of a metallic CNT in a magnetic flux. In the case that the electric field is parallel to the axis (left), the absorption exhibits a distinct AB effect. In the case of the perpendicular polarisation (right) the depolarisation effect suppresses the absorption almost completely.

Rosenfel d" considers that SO2 can act as a depolariser of the cathodic process. However, this effect has only been demonstrated with much higher levels of SO2 (0-5%) than are found in the atmosphere (Table 2.4) and the importance of this action of SO2 has yet to be proved for practical environments. However, SO2 is 1 300 times more soluble than O2 in water" and therefore its concentration in solution may be considerably greater than would be expected from partial pressure considerations. This high solubility would make it a more effective cathode reactant than dissolved oxygen even though its concentration in the atmosphere is comparatively small. 

Kaesche considers that proton reduction may also play a role in polluted environments where the pH of the electrolyte is likely to be low. This would be particularly likely in the case of iron if the Schikorr mechanism, involving the presence of sulphuric acid, did in fact operate. However, Russian work" " has shown that oxygen depolarisation is many times more efficient in thin moisture films than in bulk solutions and therefore proton reduction may not be important in affecting corrosion rates. 

Oxygen Dissolved oxygen is probably the most significant constituent affecting corrosion, its importance lying in the fact that it is the most important cathodic depolariser in neutral solutions. Other depolarisers also occur, but as oxygen is an almost universal constituent of natural waters its importance will readily be understood. 

Microbial-accelerated Cathodic Depolarisation of Ferrous Metals... 

Sulphur dioxide in the air originates from the combustion of fuel and influences rusting in a number of ways. For example, Russian workers consider that it acts as a cathodic depolariser , which is far more effective than dissolved oxygen in stimulating the corrosion rate. However, it is the series of anodic reactions culminating in the formation of ferrous sulphate that are generally considered to be of particular importance. Sulphur dioxide in the air is oxidised to sulphur trioxide, which reacts with moisture to form sulphuric acid, and this in turn reacts with the steel to form ferrous sulphate. Examination of rust Aims formed in industrial atmospheres have shown that 5% or more of the rust is present in the form of iron sulphates and FeS04 4H2 0 has been identified in shallow pits . 

Waters of pH less than 6 may be expected to be corrosive, but, because any weak acids present in the solution may not be fully ionised, it does not follow that water of pH greater than 7 will not be corrosive. Mine waters are particularly corrosive to cast iron, often to such an extent as to preclude its use with them, because of their relatively high acid content, derived from the hydrolysis of ferric salts of the strong acids, mainly sulphate, and because the ferric ion can act as a powerful cathodic depolariser. 

While well-aerated near-neutral waters are normally much more corrosive than poorly-aerated waters, waters with near zero oxygen contents may cause high rates of corrosion if active sulphate-reducing bacteria, which can act as very efficient depolarising agents, are present. A corrosion rate of 1 5 mm/y has been observed on cast iron exposed to such a water. 

Reducing agents have the same ultimate effect as cathodic depolarisation in that they convert anodic regions to cathodic and increase the ratio of cathodic to anodic areas. 

Depolarisation reduction or elimination (by physical or chemical methods) of the electrode polarisation needed to produce a specified current. 

Polarised electrode. An electrode is polarised if its potential deviates from the reversible or equilibrium value. An electrode is said to be depolarised by a substance if that substance lowers the amount of polarisation. 

The nitrate ion is reduced to ammonium ion at a lower (i.e. less negative) cathode potential than that at which hydrogen ion is discharged, and, therefore, acts to decrease hydrogen evolution. The nitrate ion acts as a cathodic depolariser. 

Electrolysis of chloride solutions may be carried out provided that a sufficient amount (1 —5 g) of either hydrazinium chloride or of hydroxylammonium chloride is added as an anodic depolariser ... 

If no depolariser is added to an acidic chloride solution, corrosion of the anode occurs and the dissolved platinum is deposited on the cathode, leading to erroneous results and to destruction of the anode. A number of metals (for example, zinc and bismuth) should not be deposited on a platinum surface. 

The acid concentration of the solution must not be too great, otherwise the deposition of the copper may be incomplete or the deposit will not adhere satisfactorily to the cathode. The beneficial effect of nitrate ion is due to its depolarising action at the cathode ... 

The solution should be free from the following, which either interfere or lead to an unsatisfactory deposit silver, mercury, bismuth, selenium, tellurium, arsenic, antimony, tin, molybdenum, gold and the platinum metals, thiocyanate, chloride, oxidising agents such as oxides of nitrogen, or excessive amounts of iron(III), nitrate or nitric acid. Chloride ion is avoided because Cu( I) is stabilised as a chloro-complex and remains in solution to be re-oxidised at the anode unless hydrazinium chloride is added as depolariser. 

Hydrazine is used as depolariser at the platinum anode for metals which are not reduced by this compound ... 

The end point of the reaction is conveniently determined electrometrically using the dead-stop end point procedure. If a small e.m.f. is applied across two platinum electrodes immersed in the reaction mixture a current will flow as long as free iodine is present, to remove hydrogen and depolarise the cathode. When the last trace of iodine has reacted the current will decrease to zero or very close to zero. Conversely, the technique may be combined with a direct titration of the sample with the Karl Fischer reagent here the current in the electrode circuit suddenly increases at the first appearance of unused iodine in the solution. 

Daniell cell 64 d.c. arc source 763, 771 Dead-stop end points 635 Decantation 119 Decomposition potential 504 Degreasing agent 80 Delves cup 788 Demasking agents 312, 334 Densitometers 231, 232 Depolariser anodic, 515 cathodic, 509... 

Hydrazine as anodic depolariser, 515 D. of by potassium iodate, (ti) 402 Hydrochloric acid composition of constant boiling, (T) 285... 

Antidiabetic Drugs other than Insulin. Figure 1 Sulphonylureas stimulate insulin release by pancreatic (3-cells. They bind to the sulphonylurea receptor (SUR-1), which closes Kir6.2 (ATP-sensitive) potassium channels. This promotes depolarisation, voltage-dependent calcium influx, and activation of calcium-sensitive proteins that control exocytotic release of insulin. 

An effect of opening K+ channels is to hypetpolarise the primary sensory neurons. Similarly to local anaesthetics, this makes the cell less likely to produce an action potential because more depolarising stimuli are needed to overcome the block. NS 1619 is an example of this type of drug which has initially shown antitussive activity in a variety of experimental systems. 

Both disodium cromoglycate and nedocromil sodium have antitussive effects in humans. In this instance, their activity occurs by increasing the depolarisation of sensory nerves, which increases the threshold for an action potential and therefore inhibits the activity of these neurons. 

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