Effect of solution pH and conductivity on nitrate synthesis by air contact glow discharge electrolysis method

Abstract

Abstract This study aims to determine the effect of pH of the solution and conductivity on the yield of nitrates formed. The method is carried out by plasma electrolysis made from air injection. The electrolyte solution used is a mixture of K2HPO4 and K2SO4. The pH condition of the solution is getting longer decreasing also has an effect due to acidic nitrate ions which are more formed if dissolved in water. If the condition of the solution the more acidic, the absorption power of NO2 gas formed in the solution to to NO3 will decrease further, so that over time resulting in the production of nitrates in the solution will decrease. The research results showed that for 120 minutes the processing time was large The pH decreases due to the formation of acidic nitrates. Decreased pH can also be caused by H2O2 production. In minute 0 to minute 5, a significant decrease in pH of 2.99. This is due to accretion nitrate product for 5 minutes the process is very significant that is equal to 1277 ppm. While the decrease in pH at minute 5 to minute 120 is less significant, where the pH decreases around 0.09 to 0.02 due to increase nitrate products are not as large as 5 minutes of processing time. Then, the more acidic the solution causes nitrate production to decrease. In acidic conditions, absorption of NO2 gas formed in the solution to be converted to NO3 will decrease. The concentration of an electrolyte solution affects the conductivity of a solution, where the higher the concentration of an electrolyte solution, the conductivity of a solution will also be even greater. The amount of conductivity will affect the speed at which a plasma is formed.