Electroreduction of rhenium from sulfuric acid solutions of perrhenic acid

The electrodeposition of rhenium species from sulfuric acid solutions of ReO4− ions onto polycrystalline Pt and Au surfaces has been studied. The experimental results suggest that ReO2 adsorption takes place and after completion of ReO2 adsorption bulk phase ReO2·xH2O and ReO3 deposition can be observed. From a higher than 10 M sulfuric acid solution of ReO4− ions only Re2O5 can be electrodeposited. In diluted H2SO4 or water media Re2O5 decomposes and ReO2 is formed.