[sterster88]

I have been trying a few different ways to handle the electrolysis of Potassium Nitrate to determine the safest and easiest way I can make nitric acid and potassium hydroxide. In the last experiment I tried, I used new platinized titanium electrodes for both the anode and cathode. Turns out that the source I bought these electrodes from was not reliable and they were fake. The side that was supposed to make nitric acid (I believe it is the anode but I always mix up the names) reacted with the distilled water and acid. It was destroyed and I'm left with a reddish brown liquid that is pretty acidic (somewhere around 4.5 ph). Does anyone know what happened or what this contamination is? I have it stored safely now, but I'm not sure if I should try to salvage it or neutralize it. I have about 750 mL.

[Borek]

pH 4.5 is not that acidic, that's your average beer.

[chenbeier]

Probably you got Titanoylperxo complexTi(O₂)²⁺ during the electrolysis. The nitrate oxidize the Titanium electrode. Gives orange brown color.

[sterster88]

Probably you got Titanoylperxo complexTi(O₂)²⁺ during the electrolysis. The nitrate oxidize the Titanium electrode. Gives orange brown color.

Thanks for the information. I've looked into it some and your suggestion seems very likely.

[Enthalpy]

Would gold on copper suffice? At least it's easily tried.

Scavenge or buy a used Dram module. Weld a good copper wire across all contacts. Immerse only the gold-plated end connector. The gold plating is rumoured to contain a bit of nickel or cobalt, which shouldn't hurt.

Maybe nickel-plated copper is good enough, if you find a part made of these materials.