Reduction of nitrate anions at modified surface electrodes in presence of multivalent cations

Cathodic reduction of nitrate ions at a vitreous carbon electrode by employing steady-state methods has been studied particularly in the presence of La/sup 3+/ cations in the solution containing supporting electrolyte NaClO/sub 4/. In the presence of La(ClO/sub 4/)3 the reduction of nitrate ion, the effect of concentration variation of La(ClO/sub 4/)3 with changes in pH of the solution for different nitrate ion concentrations have been investigated favoring the reduction potential change with a positive shift and hence showing a marked catalytic effect. (author)