Variable Mott-Schottky plots acquisition by potentiodynamic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

Potentiodynamic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy provides extraction of potential-dependent space charge layer capacitance from potentiodynamic impedance spectra of non-stationary semiconductor–electrolyte interface. The new technique has been applied for acquisition of Mott-Schottky plots of cathodically treated TiO₂ anodic films. Cathodic treatment in 1 M H₂SO₄ increases donor density and flat band potential of TiO₂. Freshly doped films show hysteresis in the space charge layer capacitance in cyclic potential scans. The subsequent cycling eliminates the hysteresis but preserves the greater part of the doping effect. Presented at the 4th Baltic Conference on Electrochemistry, Greifswald, 13–16 March 2005     

Influence of the semiconducting properties of a current collector on the electric double layer formation on porous carbon

The electrochemical behavior of polyacrylonitrile-based activated carbon cloth combined with a stainless steel current collector was examined using ac impedance spectroscopy. H(2)SO(4), KOH, and KNO(3) were employed as the electrolytes. The data presented in the impedance complex plane exhibit a semicircle at high frequencies followed by a vertical line at low frequencies. The high frequency data were found to be characteristic of the space charge region of the semiconducting oxide layer on the stainless steel, while the low frequency data depicted the double layer formation on the porous carbon. The double layer capacitance was found to decrease with the space charge resistance, which was potential dependent and a major contribution to the overall resistance of the carbon/stainless steel electrode. The electrolyte type affected the potential window employed in energy storage and thus the semiconducting behavior of the oxide layer. Both the n- and p-type semiconductors in depletion condition appeared within the potential window applied for the H(2)SO(4) electrolyte, and this caused the presence of a peak capacitance. Only the n-type depletion condition was found in the KNO(3) and KOH electrolytes with the p-type oxide situated in accumulation at the potentials applied, and thus, the capacitance was larger at more negative potentials.     

Double Layer at the Pt(111)–Aqueous Electrolyte Interface: Potential of Zero Charge and Anomalous Gouy–Chapman Screening

We report, for the first time, the observation of a Gouy–Chapman capacitance minimum at the potential of zero charge of the Pt(111)‐aqueous perchlorate electrolyte interface. The potential of zero charge of 0.3 V vs. NHE agrees very well with earlier values obtained by different methods. The observation of the potential of zero charge of this interface requires a specific pH (pH 4) and anomalously low electrolyte concentrations (<10^?3 m ). By comparison to gold and mercury double‐layer data, we conclude that the diffuse double layer structure at the Pt(111)‐electrolyte interface deviates significantly from the Gouy–Chapman theory in the sense that the electrostatic screening is much better than predicted by purely electrostatic mean‐field Poisson–Boltzmann theory.     

Electrochemistry,ion adsorption and dynamics in the double layer: a study of NaCl(aq) on graphite

Graphite and related sp² carbons are ubiquitous electrode materials with particular promise for use in e.g., energy storage and desalination devices, but very little is known about the properties of the carbon–electrolyte double layer at technologically relevant concentrations. Here, the (electrified) graphite–NaCl(aq) interface was examined using constant chemical potential molecular dynamics (CμMD) simulations; this approach avoids ion depletion (due to surface adsorption) and maintains a constant concentration, electroneutral bulk solution beyond the surface. Specific Na⁺ adsorption at the graphite basal surface causes charging of the interface in the absence of an applied potential. At moderate bulk concentrations, this leads to accumulation of counter-ions in a diffuse layer to balance the effective surface charge, consistent with established models of the electrical double layer. Beyond ∼0.6 M, however, a combination of over-screening and ion crowding in the double layer results in alternating compact layers of charge density perpendicular to the interface. The transition to this regime is marked by an increasing double layer size and anomalous negative shifts to the potential of zero charge with incremental changes to the bulk concentration. Our observations are supported by changes to the position of the differential capacitance minimum measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and are explained in terms of the screening behaviour and asymmetric ion adsorption. Furthermore, a striking level of agreement between the differential capacitance from solution evaluated in simulations and measured in experiments allows us to critically assess electrochemical capacitance measurements which have previously been considered to report simply on the density of states of the graphite material at the potential of zero charge. Our work shows that the solution side of the double layer provides the more dominant contribution to the overall measured capacitance. Finally, ion crowding at the highest concentrations (beyond ∼5 M) leads to the formation of liquid-like NaCl clusters confined to highly non-ideal regions of the double layer, where ion diffusion is up to five times slower than in the bulk. The implications of changes to the speciation of ions on reactive events in the double layer are discussed.

CμMD reveals multi-layer electrolyte screening in the double layer beyond 0.6 M, which affects ion activities, speciation and mobility; asymmetric charge screening explains concentration dependent changes to electrochemical properties.     

双极性半导体钝化膜空间电荷电容分析

钝化膜的空间电荷电容的测量(Mott-Schottky(M-S)曲线)是研究其半导体性质的重要手段, 双极性半导体钝化膜在耗尽态电位区M-S曲线斜率往往会发生改变, 首先建立了半导体富集态、耗尽态以及反型态空间电荷电容的统一计算公式, 进而将双极性半导体钝化膜空间电荷电容等效为钝化膜/溶液界面处电容和内层钝化膜/外层钝化膜界面处的np结电容的串联, 模拟计算结果能够很好地解释M-S曲线斜率发生改变这一实验现象. 同时, 计算结果表明, 对于双极性半导体的M-S曲线, 利用其直线部分的斜率、直线与电位坐标轴的截距来确定钝化膜的载流子浓度以及平带电位会产生一定的误差.     

Double Layer at the Pt(111)–Aqueous Electrolyte Interface: Potential of Zero Charge and Anomalous Gouy–Chapman Screening

We report, for the first time, the observation of a Gouy–Chapman capacitance minimum at the potential of zero charge of the Pt(111)-aqueous perchlorate electrolyte interface. The potential of zero charge of 0.3 V vs. NHE agrees very well with earlier values obtained by different methods. The observation of the potential of zero charge of this interface requires a specific pH (pH 4) and anomalously low electrolyte concentrations (<10⁻³ m ). By comparison to gold and mercury double-layer data, we conclude that the diffuse double layer structure at the Pt(111)-electrolyte interface deviates significantly from the Gouy–Chapman theory in the sense that the electrostatic screening is much better than predicted by purely electrostatic mean-field Poisson–Boltzmann theory.     

Computer simulation of negative electrode operation in lithium—ion battery: Galvanostatic discharg active intercalating agent grains,role of diffusion limitations

Computer simulation of the structure and methods of operation (galvanostatic discharge) of the negative electrode of a lithium-ion battery is performed. Two possible models of the active anode layer were compared. 1. The model of porous active layer (mixture of active substance grains with grains of electrolyte). Here, the electrochemical process occurs within a porous active layer. 2. The film model (constant-thickness layer) of pure active substance (intercalating agent) grains without admixture of grains of electrolyte. In this case, the electrochemical reaction occurs only on the planar active electrode layer/interelectrode space interface. In both cases, the optimum working parameters of anode active layers were calculated: porous active layer thickness (in the film model, this was the calculation parameter), duration of full anode discharge, specific electric capacitance and finite difference between the intercalating agent/electrolyte potentials at the active anode layer/interelectrode space interface. It is found that each of these two models has its advantages and faults. Specific electric capacitance C cannot exceed the values of the order of magnitude of 10 C/cm² when a porous active layer is used. Whereas in the film model, much higher values of C may be obtained: tens and even hundreds of C/cm². On the other hand, in the case of anode discharge, the reasonable discharge current density value, its maximum value, at which practically full recovery of lithium atoms from active intercalating agent grains is still possible, proves to be by orders of magnitude higher in the case of an anode with a porous active layer, as compared with a film-type anode. Thus, in the case of development of electrode active layers of lithium-ion batteries, there is a possibility of choosing from two variants. There is the variant of an active film-type layer providing high capacitance values, but low discharge current density. Or there is another variant: a porous active layer with limited capacitance but then much higher values of discharge current density.     

基于离子液体的超级电容在3 V及65 oC老化条件下的铝碳界面效应

相比于传统乙腈电解液体系的超级电容器,离子液体基超级电容器具有工作窗口电压高,能量密度大,不可燃等优点,适用于碳中和时代清洁但不稳定电力领域的大规模储能。然而,目前的工作主要集中在对纽扣型离子液体-超级电容器的研究上,有关软包式离子液体-超级电容器的长循环寿命评测的报道较少。构建可靠的超级电容器用于长时间测试或在高温下开展加速老化测试,应考虑集流体/电极界面的良好接触,以最小化电荷转移电阻。本文以包覆不同碳层的泡沫铝为集流体,研究了超级电容器新系统中的碳-铝界面效应。通过环氧树脂薄膜碳化得到的均匀无定形碳层,相比通过PVDF粘附石墨烯碳层,赋予了铝相和碳相更强的相互作用。此外,为了充分挖掘大离子尺寸的离子液体电解液的潜力,本文采用介孔碳电极实现离子在介孔间的快速扩散。因此,本工作首次制备了由介孔碳电极、离子液体电解液和覆碳三维泡沫铝集流体组成的新结构软包式超级电容器。以自制的容量为37 F的不同软包式超级电容器件,通过3 V、65 ^oC、500 h加速老化试验,研究了其时间依赖性的电化学性能,包括CV测试、恒流充放电测试、电容值、接触电阻、电化学阻抗谱等。相比石墨烯包覆的泡沫铝基器件,无定形碳层包覆的泡沫铝基器件表现出更高的电容保持率。此外,我们还对ESR进行了等效电路拟合,并深入分析了接触电阻、电荷转移电阻、韦伯电阻,研究了C-Al界面对高能量密度超级电容器的高性能和稳定性的影响。500小时老化测试前后的极片表征证实了上述结果。高温、高压条件使粘附石墨烯碳层的泡沫铝界面结构不可靠。而泡沫铝表面原位包覆的碳层在老化过程中表现出较强的相互作用和稳定的结构。这些坚实的数据为面向高能量密度、高功率密度和长循环寿命,进一步优化高窗口电压超级电容器提供了充足的信息。     

Ion penetration into an ‘unfriendly medium’ and the double layer capacitance of the interface between two immiscible electrolytes

We develop a theory of the double layer at electrolyte | electrolyte interfaces with account for the finite thickness of the interfacial region. This includes the distribution of ions between the two phases and smooth variation of dielectric properties across the interface. The theory offers simple laws for the dependence of the double layer capacitance on the nature of ions, ionic concentrations and potential, which are in line with experimental observations. The theory shows which parameters reflect the nature of ions and the structure of the interface, and how these parameters can be extracted from the capacitance data.     

Discrete charge effects on the Donnan potential and surface potential of a soft particle

The Donnan potential and surface potential of soft particles (i.e., polyelectrolyte-coated hard particles) in an electrolyte solution play an essential role in their electric behaviors. These potentials are usually derived via a continuum model in which fixed charges inside the surface layer are distributed with a continuous charge density. In this paper, for a plate-like soft particle consisting of a cubic lattice of fixed point charges, on the basis of the linearized Poisson–Boltzmann equation, we derive expressions for the electric potential distribution in the regions inside and outside the surface layer. This expression is given in terms of a sum of the screened Coulomb potentials produced by the point charges within the surface layer. We show that the deviation of the results of the discrete charge model from those of the continuous charge model becomes significant as the ratio of the lattice spacing to the Debye length becomes large.     

Relation between morphology and conductivity in TiO2 nanotube arrays: an electrochemical impedance spectrometric investigation

Two types of TiO₂ nanotubular arrays were obtained by anodisation of a titanium foil, in two different solutions containing fluoride ions. For the first type which has rough tube walls, impedance measurements in the dark showed the presence of a localised surface state which was related to adsorbed molecular water. Under UV illumination, this adsorbed molecular water was photo-dissociated. Moreover, an increase of 2 orders of magnitude for the limiting capacitance of the space charge layer was observed, simultaneously with the disappearance of the localised state and with a 100-time increase of the carrier density associated with hydrogen insertion. The second type of layer was characterised by smoother tube walls, a high doping level (10²⁰?cm^?3) in the dark, a lack of localised states and no long-lasting photo-induced effect. In this case, the width of the space charge layer became rapidly higher than the half-thickness of the tube walls, when the applied potential increased. Therefore, the walls were progressively depleted under anodic polarisation, passing from a situation where the tubes were totally active in the cathodic range towards a situation where the contribution of the tube walls could be neglected.     

尖晶石锂锰氧化物电极首次脱锂过程的EIS研究

研究了尖晶石锂锰氧化物电极首次脱锂过程中的电化学阻抗特征. 通过选取适当的等效电路拟合实验所得的电化学阻抗谱数据, 获得了首次脱锂过程中固体电解质相界面膜(SEI膜)的电阻、电容以及电荷传递电阻、双电层电容等随电极极化电位的变化规律.     

Mechanism and kinetics of electrode processes in systems comprising solid polyaluminate electrolyte

Cathodic reduction of organic semiconductors (charge-transfer complexes and radical-ion salts) at interfaces in Na(Hg)/β-Al₂O₃/organic semiconductor systems is studied by inversion voltammetry and chronopotentiometry. Formation of transition layer at the organic semiconductor/solid electrolyte interface is revealed. The mechanism of the charge transfer complex and radical-ion salt cathodic reduction depends on the potential scan rate; the cathodic process at nonmetal electrodes occurs under the conditions of double injection of electronic and ionic charge carriers to electrode bulk.     

Investigation of Ig.G adsorption and the effect on electrochemical responses at titanium dioxide electrode

The adsorption of Immunoglobulin G on a titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) electrode surface was investigated using (125)I radiolabeling and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). (125)I radiolabeling was used to determine the extent of protein adsorption, while EIS was used to ascertain the effect of the adsorbed protein layer on the electrode double layer capacitance and electron transfer between the TiO(2) electrode and the electrolyte. The adsorbed amounts of Ig.G agreed well with previous results and showed approximately monolayer coverage. The amount of adsorbed protein increased when a positive potential was applied to the electrode, while the application of a negative potential resulted in a decrease. Exposure to solutions of Ig.G resulted in a decrease of the double layer capacitance (C) and an increase in the charge-transfer resistance (R(2)) at the electrode solution interface. As more Ig.G adsorbed onto the electrode surface, the extent of C and R(2) variation increased. These capacitance and charge-transfer resistance variations were attributed to the formation of a proteinaceous layer on the electrode surface during exposure.     

Photoelectrochemical Behavior of Sn‐Doped α‐Fe2O3 Photoanode with Different Reducer

Hematite has been considered as one of the most promising photoanode candidates for solar water‐splitting. However, its photoelectrochemical (PEC) efficiency is largely constrained by its sluggish oxygen evolution reaction. In this work, the photoelectrochemical performance of hematite was investigated in electrolytes containing different sacrificial agent. The photocurrent densities, onset potential, charge transfer resistance, Helmholtz capacitance at semiconductor liquid junctions (SCLJs), and their correlations were systematically studied. It was found that the onset potential is around the C_H peak potential and is related to the photovoltage. The surface states pinning the Fermi levels of the hematite photoanode are related to the adsorbed water molecules regardless of the sacrificial agents in the electrolyte.     

Direct Observation of a Li‐Ionic Space‐Charge Layer Formed at an Electrode/Solid‐Electrolyte Interface

When two different materials come into contact, mobile carriers redistribute at the interface according to their potential difference. Such a charge redistribution is also expected at the interface between electrodes and solid electrolytes. The redistributed ions significantly affect the ion conduction through the interface. Thus, it is essential to determine the actual distribution of the ionic carriers and their potential to improve ion conduction. We succeeded in visualizing the ionic and potential profiles in the charge redistribution layer, or space‐charge layer (SCL), formed at the interface between a Cu electrode and Li‐conductive solid electrolyte using phase‐shifting electron holography and spatially resolved electron energy‐loss spectroscopy. These electron microscopy techniques clearly showed the Li‐ionic SCL, which dropped by 1.3 V within a distance of 10 nm from the interface. These techniques could contribute to the development of next‐generation electrochemical devices.     

Structure and electrochemical properties of polymeric composite membranes with a selective layer

The structure and electrochemical properties of polyethylene terephthalate track-etched membranes were studied. The membranes were covered with a solution of a styrene-butylmethacrylate copolymer on one side. The formation of a selective layer of copolymer in the pores of the starting membranes led to composite membranes characterized by asymmetric conductivity in electrolyte solutions—a rectification effect similar to the p-n transition in semiconductors. The asymmetry resulted from a considerable decrease in the pore diameter in the deposited copolymer layer, changing the pore geometry, and was also due to the existence of an interface in the pores between the starting membrane and the copolymer layer, having different levels of hydrophilicity.     

The double layer at the interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions: Part II. Structure of the water/nitrobenzene interface in the presence of 1:1 and 2:2 electrolytes

From fast galvanostatic pulse measurements at 25°C the capacitance of the water/nitrobenzene interface was evaluated as a function of the interfacial potential difference Δ_o^w? for systems consisting of NaBr, LiCl or MgSO₄ in water and tetrabutylammonium tetraphenylborate, tetraphenylarsonium tetraphenylborate or tetraphenylarsonium dicarbollylcobaltate in nitrobenzene. The modified Verwey—Niessen model, in which an inner layer of solvent molecules separates two space-charge regions (the diffuse double layer), describes the structure of the water/nitrobenzene interface well at electrolyte concentrations above ca. 0.02 mol dm^?3, provided that the ions are allowed to penetrate into the inner layer over some distance. For all the systems studied the zero-charge potential difference was found at Δ^w_o?_pzc ≈ 0 on the basis of the standard potential difference Δ^w_o?⁰_TMA + = 0.035 V for tetramethylammonium cation which was used as a reference ion. At zero surface charge a comparison was made with the theoretical capacitance calculated using the mean spherical approximation for a model consisting of two ion and dipole mixtures facing each other. The effect of ion penetration on the interfacial capacitance was estimated from the solution of the linearized Poisson-Boltzmann equation for a triple dielectric model with a continuous distribution of the point ions. The concentration-independent inner layer potential difference and capacitance can only be inferred from the capacitance data if the ion size effect is taken into account. A non-iterative procedure based on the hypernetted-chain equation was used for the evaluation of the potential drop across the diffuse double layer. The extend of the penetration into the inner layer appears to be a function of ion solvation, e.g. the more hydrated ion the less extensive ion penetration is likely.     

Simulation of the electrical double layer of a macroion with different counterion charges

An electrical double layer of a spherical macroion with single-, double-, and triple-charged counterions in aqueous solution of 1: 1 background electrolyte at different concentrations are studied by the molecular dynamics method for models with discrete and continuous surface charge distribution. Radial profiles of ion partial densities and the electric potential distribution in the double layer are calculated. The degree of counterion binding with a macroion is determined. The effect of water permittivity on the structure of electrical double layer is studied.     

Computer simulation of negative electrode operation in lithium—ion battery: Galvanostatic discharge,porous electrode model and film model

Computer simulation of the structure and methods of operation (galvanostatic discharge) of the negative electrode of a lithium-ion battery is performed. Two possible models of the active anode layer were compared. 1. The model of porous active layer (mixture of active substance grains with grains of electrolyte). Here, the electrochemical process occurs within a porous active layer. 2. The film model (constant-thickness layer) of pure active substance (intercalating agent) grains without admixture of grains of electrolyte. In this case, the electrochemical reaction occurs only on the planar active electrode layer/interelectrode space interface. In both cases, the optimum working parameters of anode active layers were calculated: porous active layer thickness (in the film model, this was the calculation parameter), duration of full anode discharge, specific electric capacitance and finite difference between the intercalating agent/electrolyte potentials at the active anode layer/interelectrode space interface. It is found that each of these two models has its advantages and faults. Specific electric capacitance C cannot exceed the values of the order of magnitude of 10 C/cm² when a porous active layer is used. Whereas in the film model, much higher values of C may be obtained: tens and even hundreds of C/cm². On the other hand, in the case of anode discharge, the reasonable discharge current density value, its maximum value, at which practically full recovery of lithium atoms from active intercalating agent grains is still possible, proves to be by orders of magnitude higher in the case of an anode with a porous active layer, as compared with a film-type anode. Thus, in the case of development of electrode active layers of lithium-ion batteries, there is a possibility of choosing from two variants. There is the variant of an active film-type layer providing high capacitance values, but low discharge current density. Or there is another variant: a porous active layer with limited capacitance but then much higher values of discharge current density.