Electro-reductive study of β-nitrostyrene in surfactant medium at wax impregnated carbon paste electrode

Abstract

The effect of the surfactant on the electro-reduction of the nitro moiety in beta nitrostyrene has been studied using anionic, cationic and non-ionic surfactants. In the case of cationic surfactant there was an enhancement of reduction current and decrease in peak potential with the increase in surfactant concentration. This is attributed to the interaction between the binder and the hydrophobic part of the surfactant. In the presence of non ionic surfactant, the cathodic potential shifts to more negative values making nitro group less vulnerable for reduction.