Characteristics of the electroosmotic flow of electrolyte systems for nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis

Nonaqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE) is a powerful tool for the analysis of surface-active substances, which represent a broad class of analytes containing cationic and anionic species, such as surfactants, phosphoric acid esters, and amines. In order to conduct an efficient method development in NACE, the influence of the electrolyte composition on the electroosmotic flow (EOF) of organic separation systems was systematically investigated. Background electrolytes and background chromophores appropriate for direct and indirect UV-detection were considered, as the majority of surface-active substances do not absorb UV-light. It was found that theoretical models developed to describe the EOF in aqueous electrolyte systems are insufficient for organic electrolyte systems. Experimental data on electroosmosis in a variety of organic solvents and mixtures of methanol and acetonitrile applying different background chromophores and basic or acidic additives are given. Differences between them are discussed with relation to the physicochemical properties of the organic solvents.     

Electrical double layer and adsorption of iodide ions at the Bi | acetonitrile interface

The adsorption of I^? ions on the Bi(111) single crystal plane from solutions in acetonitrile has been investigated by impedance measurement method. The ionic charge due to the specific adsorption has been obtained using the mixed electrolyte method applied for both electrode charge and electrode potential as the independent electrical variables. The Gibbs energy of ions adsorption has been calculated using the virial adsorption isotherm. It was found that under comparable conditions the results obtained at constant electrode potential and at constant electrode charge are coincident and the Gibbs energy of I^? anion adsorption increases in the sequence of solvents: methanol < ethanol < propylene carbonate < acetonitrile. The electrosorption valency has been calculated and it was found that this parameter increases in the sequence propylene carbonate < ethanol < methanol < acetonitrile.     

Investigations on novel electrolytes,solvents and SEI additives for use in lithium-ion batteries: Systematic electrochemical characterization and detailed analysis by spectroscopic methods

Electrolyte solutions have vital function in lithium-ion batteries. Due to their modular composition, there is a broad variety of electrolyte component combinations. In this work, we present electrochemical results on newly investigated electrolyte solution components. The standard electrolyte salt in commercial batteries, LIPF₆, was replaced by new imide and sulfonate anion based salts, with enhanced stability. The use of propylene carbonate was enabled by the application of new SEI forming electrolyte additives. Electrolyte solvents, such as adiponitrile and γ-butyrolactone were investigated in combination with LiBF₄ as electrolyte salt. In order to evaluate these materials, various electrochemical techniques like galvanostatic cycling, conductivity and electrochemical stability window detection, cyclic voltammetry, etc. were applied. Furthermore, the electrode/electrolyte interfaces and interphases were studied via spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques.     

Acidité dans le nitrométhane: III. Détermination électrochimique de la basicité du nitrométhane — Corrélation Dn/Eo(Hs+/H2/

The use of the complex acid HAlCl₄ (HCl+AlCl₃) permits the detemrination of the standard potential of the hydrogen electrode in nitromethane. The result (E₀(H_s⁺/H₂)=0.5 V vs. Fc/Fc⁺, Fc=ferrocene) shows that nitromethane is very weakly basic. This measurement is confirmed by showing that the standard potential of the hydrogen electrode in various solvents is linked to Gutmann's donor numbers of these solvents. The E₀(H_s⁺/H₂) value obtained in nitromethane belongs to the correlation line.     

四磺酸基酞菁钴对于光滑Pt电极上氧还原过程的影响

将大环化合物四磺酸基酞菁钴(CoTSPc)加入到电解液中, 研究了其对Pt阴极催化氧还原以及耐甲醇性能的影响. 实验结果发现, 这种影响与加入到溶液中的CoTSPc的浓度有关, 当溶液中加入CoTSPc的浓度为0.09 mmol•L^－1时, Pt电极催化氧还原的电流基本不变, 而有效抑制了甲醇在阴极的氧化, 使甲醇氧化的峰电流值下降79.7%.     

Enhanced electrochemical performance of LiFePO4 cathode with the addition of fluoroethylene carbonate in electrolyte

The effect of the fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) addition in electrolyte on LiFePO₄ cathode performance was investigated in low-temperature electrolyte LiPF₆/EC/PC/EMC (0.14/0.18/0.68). Cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and charge/discharge tests were conducted in this work. In the presence of FEC, the polarization of LiFePO₄ electrode decreased both at room and low temperatures. Meanwhile, the exchange current density increased. The rate capability of LiFePO₄ electrode was greatly enhanced as well. The morphology of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on LiFePO₄ surface was modified with the addition of FEC as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy measurement. A compact film with small impedance was formed on LiFePO₄ surface compared to the case of FEC-free. The compositions of the film were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic measurement. The contents of Li _x PO _y F _z , LiF, and the carbonate species generated from solvents decomposition were reduced. The modified SEI promoted the migration of lithium ion through the electrode/electrolyte interphase and enhanced the electrochemical performance of the cathode.     

Analysis of Atorvastatin and Related Substances by MEKC

A new micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatographic (MEKC) method has been developed for simultaneous quantitation of atorvastatin (AT) and its related substances. The separation was carried out in an extended light path capillary at applied voltage of 30 kV using a background electrolyte consisting of 10 mM sodium tetraborate buffer pH 9.5, 50 mM sodium dodecyl sulphate and 20% (v/v) methanol. The addition of methanol to the running buffer resulted in a very effective choice to achieve resolution between the peaks of charged substances adjacent to AT as well as the peaks of neutral drug-related substances. Linear calibration curves were established over the concentration range 100–1,200 μg mL^?1 for AT and 1.0–12.5 μg mL^?1 for related substances. The proposed MEKC procedure has been validated with respect to selectivity, precision, linearity, limits of detection, and quantitation, accuracy and robustness. The method has been successfully applied to the determination of AT and purity evaluation of bulk drug and formulated products.     

On-line mass spectrometry investigation of the reduction of carbon dioxide in acidic media on polycrystalline Pt

Differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) is used to investigate the reaction of electroreduction of CO₂ on platinum porous electrode in acidic media. This technique, which gives molecular specificity, permits the reaction products to be followed concurrently with potential and time. These results showed for the first time the on-line production of methanol in acidic media using a Pt electrodeposited electrode. Reduction of CO₂ in perchloric acid on Pt occurs in the H₂ evolution region leading to the formation of formic acid methanol and traces of methane. Experiments using CO show that this substance is the intermediate of the pathway leading to methanol.     

Amperometric Response of Alcohols Dissolved in High Resistance Hydrocarbon Media at Microelectrodes Without Supporting Electrolyte

Narrow‐gap cells were fabricated for direct amperometric measurement of alcohol content in liquid hydrocarbon mixtures. Their performance has been investigated using methanol, ethanol, n‐propanol as sample components (ethanol was in most details studied). One type of the insulating materials was applied in order to obtain two copper discs. The surfaces of the copper microdiscs were covered with a Cu_xS modifying layer. The other cell constructed in the similar way had a carbon disc working electrode (with diameter of 30 µm and copper reference/counter electrode 0.3 mm). The amperometric behaviour of the alcohols have been investigated in toluene and n‐heptane solvents without background electrolyte. The amperometric current was found proportional to the ethanol concentration in the investigated range of 0.5–11 v/v%. The sensor’s performance was also tested with ethanol containing fuel products from a gas station.     

Adsorption of iodide ions on the Cd(0001) single crystal plane in methanol

The adsorption of I⁻ ions on the Cd(0001) single crystal plane from solutions in methanol has been investigated by impedance measurement method. The ionic charge due to the specific adsorption has been obtained using the mixed-electrolyte method for both electrode charge and electrode potential as the independent electrical variables. The Gibbs energy of adsorption of ions has been calculated using the different modifications of the virial adsorption isotherm. It was found that under comparable conditions, the results obtained at constant electrode potential and at constant electrode charge are coincident and the adsorption of I⁻ anion increases in the sequence of solvents: water < methanol, ethanol, and metals: Cd < Bi. The electrosorption valency has been calculated. It was found that on the Cd(0001) plane the electrosorption valency of I⁻ anions has a constant value that is similar for methanol and ethanol and also for these solvents on Bi single crystal planes.     

Construction and analytical application of a biosensor based on stearic acid-graphite powder modified with sweet potato tissue in organic solvents

A biosensor based on stearic acid-graphite powder modified with sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) tissue as peroxidase source was constructed and applied in organic solvents. Several parameters were studied to evaluate the performance of this biosensor such as stearic acid-graphite powder and tissue composition, type and concentration of supporting electrolyte, organic solvents, water/organic solvent ratio (% v/v) and hydrogen peroxide concentration. After selection of the best conditions, the biosensor was applied for the determination of hydroquinone in cosmetic creams in methanol. At the peroxidase electrode hydroquinone is oxidized in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and the radical formed was reduced back electrochemically at –180 mV vs Ag/AgCl (3.0 mol L^–1 KCl). The reduction current obtained was proportional to the concentration of hydroquinone from 6.2 × 10^–5 to 1.5 × 10^–3 mol L^–1 (r = 0.9990) with a detection limit of 8.5 × 10^–6 mol L^–1. The recovery of hydroquinone from two samples ranged from 98.8 to 104.1% and an RSD lower than 1.0% for a solution containing ¶7.3 × 10^–4 mol L^–1 hydroquinone and 1.0 × 10^–3 mol L^–1 hydrogen peroxide in 0.10 mol L^–1 tetrabutylammonium bromide methanol-phosphate buffer solution (95:5% v/v) (n = 10) was obtained.     

Molybdenum–Bismuth Bimetallic Chalcogenide Nanosheets for Highly Efficient Electrocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol

Methanol is a very useful platform molecule and liquid fuel. Electrocatalytic reduction of CO₂ to methanol is a promising route, which currently suffers from low efficiency and poor selectivity. Herein we report the first work to use a Mo‐Bi bimetallic chalcogenide (BMC) as an electrocatalyst for CO₂ reduction. By using the Mo‐Bi BMC on carbon paper as the electrode and 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate in MeCN as the electrolyte, the Faradaic efficiency of methanol could reach 71.2 % with a current density of 12.1 mA cm^?2, which is much higher than the best result reported to date. The superior performance of the electrode resulted from the excellent synergistic effect of Mo and Bi for producing methanol. The reaction mechanism was proposed and the reason for the synergistic effect of Mo and Bi was discussed on the basis of some control experiments. This work opens a way to produce methanol efficiently by electrochemical reduction of CO₂.     

Electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol on carbon ceramic electrode modified by platinum nanoparticles incorporated in poly (o-phenylenediamine) film

Carbon ceramic electrode, a new electrode substrate, was prepared by sol–gel procedure and used for the electropolymerization of o-phenylenediamine and incorporation of platinum nanoparticles into the resulting poly(o-phenylenediamine) (PoPD) film. The modified electrode was used for electrooxidation of methanol in 0.3 M H₂SO₄ as supporting electrolyte. The presence of PoPD film increased considerably the efficiency of deposited Pt nanoparticles toward the electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol. The effective parameters on the electrooxidation of methanol, i.e., amounts of polymer and Pt catalyst, medium temperature, working potential limit in anodic direction, and potential scan rate, were investigated, and the results were discussed.     

Specimen transfer from the electrolyte to the UHV in a closed system and some examinations of the double layer on Cu

A transfer system is described which permits the electrochemical preparation of specimens in a purified argon atmosphere and their transport into the UHV for surface analysis. This transfer prevents contamination and oxide formation on semi-noble metals. Reactive metals from only a few monolayers of oxide. This permits examination of electrochemically prepared metal surfaces, which is otherwise not possible. For hydrophobic copper surfaces, the composition of the electrical double layer may be studied. The extraction of the electrode strips the electrolyte off in the vicinity of the Helmholtz layer. For NaClO₄ solutions, the amount of Na⁺ ions and the excess charge decrease linearly with the electrode potential in agreement with a constant electrode capacity. The formation of a prepassive and passive layer leads to a pronounced increase of adsorbed Na⁺ ions. For Cs₂SO₄, specific and co-adsorption of both ions is observed with a minimum in the region of the potential of zero charge.     

Effects of water-based gel electrolyte on the charge recombination and performance of dye-sensitized solar cells

A new water-based solution of ion-conductive polymeric gel electrolyte composed of polyethylene glycol and polyvinylpyrrolidone as gel-forming substances, I^?/I₃ ^? as reversible redox couple, and various ratios of acetonitrile/water solvents was prepared and used in the fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cells. The effects of water on the electrochemical behavior of the prepared electrolyte solutions were examined by the cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was employed to quantify the charge-transfer resistance and the electron lifetime at the TiO₂ conduction band. The characteristic peak shifted to a lower frequency in the Bode phase plot, which is an indication of a longer electron lifetime for the cell containing more water content. Photovoltaic performance of the cells prepared by the new water-based gel electrolyte was studied. Changes in the current density–voltage (J–V) characteristics can be explained based on the effect of water on the energetics and kinetics of charge transport and charge recombination in the dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). It was observed that the increase in open-circuit voltage (V _oc) and fill factor and decrease in J _SC were noticeable for cells containing water-based gel electrolyte. It was indicated that the charge recombination between injected electrons and electron acceptors (polyiodide) in the redox electrolyte was remarkably inhibited by the increase of water. The photovoltaic performance stability of the DSSC containing gel electrolyte solution including 50 wt% of water was examined, and it was shown that it is more stable than conventional cells considerably for 168 h. Energy conversion efficiency of 2.30 % was achieved, under illumination with a simulated solar light of 100 mW cm^?2.     

Fast determination of evaporation enthalpies of solvents and binary mixtures using a microsilicon chip device with integrated thin film transducers

A silicon chip device with two types of integrated platinum thin film resistors was applied for microcaloric measurements. It was shown that the device is capable of fast characterization of liquid evaporation behaviour and allows the determination of evaporation enthalpies for pure liquids and mixtures. The applicability was demonstrated for a wide range of solvents from nonpolar aliphatic solvents over polar organics to protic solvents (e.g. iso-octane, toluene, acetone, ethanol, methanol and water). The sample volumes were in the range of about 2-5 μL. The determination of transient times, in case of constant power mode, or the power integral over time was used for the fast estimation of binary liquid mixtures. Thermo-resistive measurements of 5 μL droplets of solvent mixtures like methanol/iso-propanol, ethanol/water, iso-octane/iso-propanol and iso-octane/1,4-dioxane showed significant changes in temperature characteristics and evaporation enthalpies in dependence on composition. The applied heating power was about 1 W, which corresponds to measurement times between a few seconds and a minute.     

Adsorption of Cl−, Br−, and I− ions from 0.1 M solutions in methanol on Ga, (In-Ga), and (Tl-Ga) electrodes

Adsorption of Cl^?, Br^?, and I^? (Hal^?) ions from 0.1 M solutions in methanol (MeOH) is studied on the liquid renewable Ga, (In-Ga), and (Tl-Ga) electrodes by the methods of differential capacitance and jet electrode. It is shown that the adsorption parameters and the series of surface activity of halide ions in MeOH essentially depend on the metal nature. On the (In-Ga) and (Tl-Ga) electrodes, as well as on the Hg electrode, the surface activity of halide ions increases in the series: Cl^? < Br^? < I^?; on the Ga electrode, it varies in another series: Br^? < Cl^? < I^?. The data for the Ga/MeOH interface support the result, which was first obtained on the Ga/N-methyl formamide (N-MF) interface, that the effect of inversion of surface activity series can be observed not only in the aprotic solvents, but also in the protic solvents. The data, which were obtained in MeOH, are compared with the corresponding data, which were obtained in N-MF, dimethyl formamide (DMF), acetonitrile (AN), and water. For Ga, (In-Ga), and (Tl-Ga) electrodes, the adsorption of Hal^? varies in the series: H₂O < MeOH ≈ N-MF < DMF < AN. The data obtained in MeOH indicate that the energy of metal-Hal^? interaction (ΔG _M-Hal) increases in the series (Tl-Ga) < (In-Ga) < Ga as the electronic work function increases. This is in agreement with the data, which were obtained in other solvents, and is the evidence for the donor-acceptor nature of metal-Hal^? interaction, where the Hal^? ions are the donors of electron pair with respect to the metal.     

Application of the energy gap law to the decay of charge transfer excited states,solvent effects

Values of non-radiative decay rate constants (k_nr) and emission energies (E_cm) have been obtained for Os(Phen₃)²⁺ in a series of solvents and the results are consistent with the energy gap law. For hydroxylic solvents like water or methanol related studies suggest the existence of strong, specific contributions to the vibrational trapping energy of the solvent.     

Cost-effective electrodeposition of platinum nanoparticles with ionic liquid droplet confined onto electrode surface as micro-media

We report here for the first time on the use of a droplet of water-immiscible ionic liquid (IL) containing metallic precursor confined onto electrode surface as new micro-media for cost-effective electrodeposition of platinum nanoparticles. 1-n-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BmimPF₆), a typical water-immiscible IL, is found to be able to form a stable droplet onto electrode surface in which the metallic precursor (i.e., chloroplatinic acid hexahydrate (H₂PtCl₆)) for electrodeposition of Pt nanoparticles can be stably dissolved when the prepared electrode is used in aqueous solutions. The electrodeposition of Pt nanoparticles is carried out in the aqueous solution of 0.1 M KPF₆ with the H₂PtCl₆-containing IL droplet-confined glassy carbon electrode as working electrode at −1.5 V vs. Ag/AgCl. The Pt nanoparticles electrodeposited from the IL droplet micro-medium are characterized to have a uniform morphology and to possess an excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of methanol. Compared with the existing methods for the electrodeposition of metals with ILs as the solvents, the method demonstrated here requires a less amount of ILs and metallic precursors and is thus anticipated to provide a new and cost-effective approach to the deposition of metallic nanoparticles onto conducting substrate.     

Properties of semiconductor electrodes coated with living films of cyanobacteria

IntactPhormidium sp. cells, immobilized on a SnO₂ semiconductor electrode, are capable of transferring electrons to SnO₂ in a light-dependent reaction. Drying a “wet” algal electrode at 50°C for 60 min increases photocurrent output capacity by 100-fold. We have studied the effect of various parameters on photocurrent generation. The magnitude of the photocurrent increased with increasing light intensity and depended on the nature of the electrolyte solution. The output, about 8 μA 10 μg Chl^?1 cm⁺², was obtained using 50 mM H₃BO₃?Na₂CO₃?KCl buffer as an electrolyte, an irradiance (>460 nm) of 250 J/m², and potentiostatic conditions (the algal working electrode was poised at +0.6 V vs a saturated calomel electrode). The yield was more than doubled upon addition of an electron carrier, such as methyl viologen, benzyl viologen, or Vitamin K₃, to the electrolyte solution. Maximum photocurrent was obtained at around pH 8 and 45°C, which are optimal conditions for growth of the cyanobacterium. Furthermore, DCMU, an inhibitor of photosynthetic electron flow, drastically decreased the yield, as did heat treatment of the electrode at 110°C for 15 min. The photocurrent action spectrum peak coincided well with the absorption peak of the light-harvesting pigment, phycocyanin. These results support the idea that electron transfer can occur across algal cell walls from the source of the light-induced reactions located within the lamellar membranes to the semiconductor electrode.