Coadsorption of carbon monoxide and copper atoms on rhodium electroplates

The partial removal of copper atoms from a preliminarily formed Cu_ad layer and the adsorption of Cu²⁺ cations in the presence of a CO_ads monolayer were demonstrated for Rh/Pt electrodes by means of transients of current and potentiodynamic and analytical measurements. The electrooxidation of the mixed CO_ads + Cu_ad layer in the course of anodic potential scans is shown to be accompanied by simultaneous removal of both species in a wide potentials range.Translated from Elektrokhimiya, Vol. 41, No. 3, 2005, pp. 367–370.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Gladysheva, Podlovchenko.     

Variations in the Charge and Open-Circuit Potential of a Platinum Electrode during Adsorption of Iodine and Iodide Ions

The adsorption of iodine and iodide anions on a Pt/Pt electrode (0.5 M H₂SO₄ as a supporting solution) is compared using potentiodynamic and galvanostatic charging curves, transients of the current and open-circuit potential (OCP), and analytical measurements. Variations in the charge and OCP during the adsorption obey relationships derived for strong adsorption of neutral species and ions on a hydrogen electrode with the formation of irreversibly adsorbed atoms. The main product of the I₂ and I^– chemisorption in acid solutions is adsorbed iodine atoms. However, adsorption of iodine occurs in noticeable amounts and above a monolayer in the form of species that undergo electrodesorption during a cathodic polarization to potentials of the beginning of hydrogen adsorption. In the presence of a monolayer of adsorbed iodine atoms, potential of the zero total charge of a Pt/Pt electrode is in the oxygen adsorption region.     

Mechanisms and parameters of transients and oscillations of delayed chlorophyll fluorescence in the thylakoid membrane of the intact maize leaf

Standard induction processes of delayed fluorescence (DF) of chlorophyll (induction signals) occur when an intact leaf segment of maize inbreds and hybrids is initially kept in the phosphoroscope darkroom for more than 15 min (τ > 15 min), and then the leaf is illuminated with the intermittent white light and measured. Resolved induction processes of DF chlorophyll into transients: A, B, C, D, and E occur when the intact leaf segment of maize inbreds and hybrids is kept in the phosphoroscope darkroom for a significantly shorter period (30 s ≤ τ ≤ 240 s), with the time rate τ of 30 s, prior to its illumination with the intermittent white light. Induction transients: A, B, C, D, and E are characterised with their temporal parameters: t _A, t _B, t _C, t _D, and t _E, dynamics of changes in transients intensities and mechanisms of their generation. The induction processes of chlorophyll DF of the intact leaf of maize inbreds and hybrids resolved into transients: A, B, C, D, and E are accompanied by the occurrence and different levels of activation energy (E _a, kJ mol⁻¹) that correspond to different critical temperatures. The generation mechanisms of induction transients: A, B, C, D, and E are classified into two groups. Transients A and B are of a physical character, while the transients: C, D, and E are of a chemical character. It is shown that the generation of the induction transients: B, C, D, and E simultaneously follows establishing of the oscillations of induction processes of the DF chlorophyll. Oscillating of induction processes of DF chlorophyll is explained by the ion (K⁺, Na⁺, H⁺, Cl⁻) transport mechanism across the thylakoid membrane of the intact leaf of maize inbreds and hybrids grown under conditions of air drought, increased temperatures and water deficiency in the medium. The article is published in the original.     

Transition Metal Carbides. Dependence of some thermochemical quantities on the chemical nature of reactants and stoichiometry of the product

Linear relationship were found among the plots of ΔH _{T ad} and ΔG ⁰ _{T ad} vs. the adiabatic reaction temperature (T _ad) for transition metals carbides and silicides characterised by the same stoichiometry. The slope of the straight line depends on the product stoichiometry. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A contribution to the kinetics of hydrogen transport through Pd foil electrode during hydrogen extraction under self-discharge and potentiostatic conditions

This paper contributes to the kinetics of hydrogen transport through the Pd foil electrode in 0.1 mol l^–1 NaOH solution during the hydrogen extraction from the foil electrode under the self-discharge and potentiostatic conditions by the analysis of open-circuit potential and anodic current transients, respectively. The hydrogen oxidation rate calculated based upon the mixed potential theory just equals the rate of hydrogen self-discharge from the electrode during the OCP transient. When the electrode surface is subjected even to a constant discharging potential, the hydrogen concentration gradient at the surface is given by the Butler-Volmer equation combined with the decay in actual potential jump with time below the transition discharging potential; however, the constant hydrogen concentration condition is satisfied at the surface above this potential. By taking the hydrogen oxidation rate during the OCP transient and the two constraints during the anodic current transient as the boundary condition at the surface, the hydrogen concentration profile transients have been derived during the hydrogen extraction under the self-discharge and potentiostatic conditions, respectively. Electronic Publication     

Detection of nanoscale η‐MgZn2 phase dissolution from an Al‐Zn‐Mg‐Cu alloy by electrochemical microtransients

In this article we demonstrate how the dissolution of nanosize intermetallic particles present in Al alloys can be detected using microelectrochemical techniques. The local electrochemical properties of a high‐strength Al‐Zn‐Mg‐Cu alloy, which contains nanoscale η‐MgZn₂ phases, were investigated with a microcapillary cell. At the open‐circuit potential (OCP) with the sample surface in the range of 1000 µm², potential fluctuations (microtransients) can be observed. Under polarization of such small areas, current transients are detected in the passive range of the alloy. An estimation of the size of dissolution events from the charge passed during the current transient leads to the conclusion that the current transients could stem from the dissolution of η‐phase particles, with diameters in the order of 100 nm. This size scale corresponds well with the size of the grain‐boundary MgZn₂. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high‐resolution SEM images provide further insights for possible mechanisms leading either to potential or to current microtransients. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The kinetics of chlorine evolution and reduction on glassy carbon in molten tetrachloroaluminate at 175°C

The chlorine electrode reaction on glassy carbon in sodium tetrachloroaluminate melt (AlCl₃+NaCl) with near equimolar compositions was investigated at 175°C with voltammetric techniques. The kinetic parameters (Tafel slope and exchange current density) measured as functions of chloride ion activity and partial pressure of chlorine, and the reaction orders with respect to Cl^? and Cl₂ have been collected extensively, being compared with the theoretical kinetic derivatives deduced from the rate equations solved under three different kinds of adsorption isotherms: Langmuir, non-activated Temkin and activated Temkin isotherms. All the evidence collected in this study indicates that the reaction mechanism for both evolution and dissolution of chlorine consists of a fast electron transfer (Cl^?→Cl_ad+e) followed (or preceded) by a slow Heyrovsky-type reaction (Cl^?+Cl_ad→Cl₂+e) on glassy carbon surfaces where the adsorbed intermediate obeys the activated Temkin isotherm. The exchange current density was found as 8.6±0.8 μA cm^?2 at 175°C in the melt of pCl=1.1 under an atmospheric pressure of Cl₂, and its electrode potential (E°_CΓ/Cl2) was determined as 2.182±0.005 V vs. Al.     

A new algorithm for the fixed-node quantum Monte Carlo method

A novel algorithm is proposed for the fixed-node quantum Monte Carlo (FNQMC) method.In contrast to previous procedures,its "guiding function" is not optimized prior to diffusion quantum Monte Carlo (DMC) computation but synchronistically in the diffusion process The new algorithm can not only save CPU time,but also make both of the optimization and diffusion carried out according to the same sampling fashion,reaching the goal to improve each other This new optimizing procedure converges super-linearly,and thus can accelerate the particle diffusion During the diffusion process,the node of the "guiding function" changes incessantly,which is conducible to reducing the "fixed-node error" The new algorithm has been used to calculate the total energies of states X3B1 and a1A1 of CH2 as well as π-X2B1 and λ-2A1 of NH2 The singlet-triplet energy splitting (λEsT) in CH2 and π energy splitting in NH2 obtained with this present method are (45 542±1.840) and (141.644±1.589) kJ/mol,respectively The calculated     

Effect of silver ions on codischarge of copper and silver at a platinum electrode at the copper underpotentials

Codischarge of copper and silver ions at potentials more positive than the equilibrium potential of the Cu⁺²/Cu system is studied by the voltammetry technique. At the Ag⁺ concentrationc below 10^-7 M, silver ions make no noticeable impact on the formation of a Cu_ad monolayer but decelerate that of supermonolayers of Cu at almost equilibrium potentials. Atc ≥ 4 × 10^-5 M, voltammograms indicate the concurrent adsorption of Cu_ad and Ag_ad and the nucleation and deposition of phase Ag     

Microanalysis of Hydrogen, Boron and Fluorine in Vesuvianite by Means of SIMS, EPMA and FTIR

Vesuvianite, a complex sorosilicate, often contains variable (from trace-to-minor-element) amounts of H, B and F. We describe a microanalytical study of H, B and F in vesuvianite by means of Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA), Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS), and single-crystal Fourier-Transform InfraRed (FTIR) spectroscopy. Most crystals investigated are B- (up to 3.67 wt% B₂O₃) and F-rich (up to 2.38 wt%); H₂O ranges from 0.243 to 0.665 wt%. The H data obtained by SIMS allowed us to calibrate the quantitative analysis of H₂O by FTIR spectroscopy. The resulting molar absorption coefficient (ɛ _i = 100 000 ± 2000 L · mol⁻¹ · cm⁻²) is in excellent agreement with working curves available from the literature. Moreover, the SIMS data allowed us to obtain the calibration curve to estimate the B₂O₃ content on the basis on the FTIR absorbance: a _i = 34000 ± 1400 · B₂O₃ (wt%).     

Catalytic effects of metal submonolayers formed by faradaic adsorption on the anodic oxidation of ascorbic acid at a platinum electrode

The catalytic effects of metal ions on the anodic oxidation of ascorbic acid on a Pt electrode in 1 M HClO₄ were studied by linear sweep voltammetry. The anodic peak due to a two-electron oxidation of ascorbic acid shifts to the negative potential side on the addition of Bi³⁺. This indicates the accelerating effect of Bi³⁺ on the oxidation of ascorbic acid. The presence of other metal ions, such as Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺, Tl⁺, Ag⁺ and Sb³⁺, also exerts similar effects. These metal ions were adsorbed on a Pt electrode at underpotentials and the adsorbed metals (denoted as M_ad) still remain on the electrode surface until the electrode potential goes up to and beyond the peak potential of the oxidation of ascorbic acid. On the other hand, metal ions forming no adsorbed layer on Pt, such as Co²⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Ni²⁺, exhibit no catalytic effect. These facts suggest that the presence of a M_ad on Pt is essential for the promotion of the anodic oxidation of ascorbic acid. However, there is a difference in the catalytic action among the M_ad, for example, Cu_ad, Cd_ad, In_ad, Sn_ad and Mo_ad display no catalytic action.The catalytic activity depends on the degree of surface coverage by the M_ad. The maximal effect of the M_ad is attained in the submonolayer region. The effects of metal ions were discussed on the basis that the M_ad plays its major role in the removal of the adsorbed ascorbic acid occupying active sites on the electrode surface, and provides effective sites for the activation of adjacent water molecules. Furthermore, from the ¹³C NMR spectra for the oxidation products, the adsorbed water on the M_ad appears to function by promoting the subsequent hydration steps, following the electron-transfer step of ascorbic acid.     

Protonation of Chloro-, Bromo- and Iodo-pentacyanocobaltate(III) Complexes

The reactions between Fe(Phen)₃²⁺[phen = tris-(1,10) phenanthroline] and Co(CN)₅X³⁻ (X = Cl, Br or I) have been studied in aqueous acidic solutions at 25 °C and ionic strength in the range I = 0.001–0.02 mol dm⁻³ (NaCl/HCl). Plots of k₂ versus √I, applying Debye–Huckel Theory, gave the values −1.79 ± 0.18, −1.65 ± 0.18 and 1.81 ± 0.10 as the product of charges (Z_AZ_B) for the reactions of Fe(Phen)₃²⁺ with the chloro-, bromo- and iodo- complexes respectively. Z_AZ_B of ≈ −2 suggests that the charge on these Co^III complexes cannot be −3 but is −1. This suggests the possibility of protonation of these Co^III complexes. Protonation was investigated over the range [H⁺] = 0.0001 −0.06 mol dm⁻³ and the protonation constants K_a obtained are 1.22 × 10³, 7.31 × 10³ and 9.90 × 10² dm⁶ mol⁻³ for X = Cl, Br and I, respectively.     

Resolution of the mechanism of CO electrooxidation on steady state and evaluation of the kinetic parameters for Pt and Ru electrodes

The carbon monoxide oxidation reaction (COOR) was studied on steady-state conditions by chronoamperometry on polycrystalline smooth platinum and ruthenium rotating disc electrodes in CO-saturated acid solution. The chronoamperometric response did not show current oscillations and therefore the current density (j) vs. overpotential (η) curves on steady state could be obtained. In order to interpret these results, kinetic expressions were derived starting from the mechanism proposed by S. Gilman, which considers two adsorbed reaction intermediates, carbon monoxide (CO_ad) and hydroxyl (OH_ad). Analytical expressions as a function of overpotential for the current density, the surface coverage of the adsorbed species (θ _CO and θ _OH) and the CO and CO₂ pressures at the electrode surface on steady state were obtained. This set of equations was used for the correlation of the experimental polarization curves and the evaluation of the corresponding kinetic parameters. From these values, the dependences of the surface coverage of the adsorbed intermediates on overpotential were simulated, as well as those of the partial pressure of CO and CO₂. Thus, it was demonstrated that the Gilman’s mechanism accurately describes the experimental results on steady state of the COOR on these metals.     

Spark source mass spectrometric assessment of boron and nitrogen concentrations in crystalline gallium arsenide

The residual or doped element concentration [E] in GaAs measured by SSMS is only accurate with respect to the relative sensitivity coefficient RSC_E. For a trace element concentration, the RSC_E = [E]_SSMS/[E]_TRUE is set to unity, if no reference material or method is available to approximate the concentration to the true value. For boron a relative sensitivity coefficient of RSC_B = 0.94 ± 0.08 was obtained using TI-IDMS as a reference method. RSC_N = 1 is used for nitrogen determinations. A boron and nitrogen detection limit of 4.4 × 10¹³ cm^–3 is achieved. SSMS was used as reference method to calibrate the FTIR factor f_E = [E] / I_α due to the integrated local vibrational mode absorption I_α of atomic boron and nitrogen in GaAs. A factor of f_B = (12.0 × 2.7) × 10¹⁶ cm^–1 (517 cm^–1) and f_N = (7.4 ± 0.1) × 10¹⁵ cm^–1 (472 cm^–1) was obtained for a boron and nine nitrogen containing GaAs samples at 77 K and 10 K, respectively. Received: 15 December 1998 / Revised: 8 April 1999 / Accepted: 13 April 1999     

Spark source mass spectrometric assessment of boron and nitrogen concentrations in crystalline gallium arsenide

The residual or doped element concentration [E] in GaAs measured by SSMS is only accurate with respect to the relative sensitivity coefficient RSC_E. For a trace element concentration, the RSC_E = [E]_SSMS/[E]_TRUE is set to unity, if no reference material or method is available to approximate the concentration to the true value. For boron a relative sensitivity coefficient of RSC_B = 0.94 ± 0.08 was obtained using TI-IDMS as a reference method. RSC_N = 1 is used for nitrogen determinations. A boron and nitrogen detection limit of 4.4 × 10¹³ cm^–3 is achieved. SSMS was used as reference method to calibrate the FTIR factor f_E = [E] / I_α due to the integrated local vibrational mode absorption I_α of atomic boron and nitrogen in GaAs. A factor of f_B = (12.0 × 2.7) × 10¹⁶ cm^–1 (517 cm^–1) and f_N = (7.4 ± 0.1) × 10¹⁵ cm^–1 (472 cm^–1) was obtained for a boron and nine nitrogen containing GaAs samples at 77 K and 10 K, respectively. Received: 15 December 1998 / Revised: 8 April 1999 / Accepted: 13 April 1999     

Cathodic polarization behavior of self-supporting polyaniline film electrode

The preparation method of a self-supporting doped-polyaniline film electrode and its open-circuit potential (OCP) in NaClO₄ and Na₂SO₄ solutions with different pH value as well as cathodic polarization behavior have been investigated for the purpose of discussing the corrosion electrochemical behavior of polyaniline (PANI) in the acid solution. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) reveals that the lower pH corresponds to higher doping level of H⁺ in the film and a more positive OCP of PANI film electrode. OCP of the PANI film reached 0.35 V vs. SCE in 1M H₂SO₄, which is more positive than that of most metals, suggests that PANI would act as cathode when it couples with these metals. The cathodic polarization experiments indicate that the dominating cathodic polarization process of PANI is reversible doping and dedoping reaction and the reduction of dissolve oxygen has very little contribution to it. The potentiostatic current-time curves exhibit a large transient current density at initial stage of polarization, which should be attributed to the charge stored in the film and a relative less steady state current density at the subsequent stage of polarization, which is provided by its doping/dedoping equilibrium activity. Such a current characteristic of PANI electrode might be the force of PANI to provide the passivation protection for some active-passive metals. Published in Russian in Elektrokhimiya, 2008, Vol. 44, No. 10, pp. 1205–1212. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Determination of nicotinamide (NA) using its polarographic catalytic wave in the presence of KIO3

Nicotinamide (NA) yields a polarographic catalytic wave with a peak potential –1.38 V (vs. SCE) in 0.1 mol/L HAc-NaAc (pH 4.7)/4 × 10^–3 mol/L KIO₃ buffer solution. The sensitivity of the catalytic wave increased in one order of magnitude as compared to that of the responding reduction wave without KIO₃. Based on this observation, a new method for the determination of NA was recommended. The second order derivative peak current was proportional to the NA concentration in the range of 5 × 10^–8 – 6 × 10^–7 mol/L. 0.11-fold vitamin B₁, 0.13-fold B₂, 0.14-fold B₆ and 8-fold nicotinic acid amounts do not interfere the determination of 1 × 10^–6 mol/L NA. The proposed method was used to determine the NA content in multivitamin tablets, with good agreement to the declared amount. Received: 25 October 1999 / Revised: 28 March 2000 / /Accepted: 31 March 2000     

Effect of Non‐Specifically Adsorbed Ions on the Surface Oxidation of Pt(111)

The oxidation processes of a Pt(111) electrode in alkaline electrolytes depend on non‐specifically adsorbed ions according to in situ X‐ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopic measurements. In an aqueous solution of LiOH, an OH_ad adlayer is formed in the first oxidation step of the Pt(111) electrode as a result of the strong interaction between Li⁺ and OH_ad, whereas Pt oxidation proceeds without OH_ad formation in CsOH solution. Structural analysis by X‐ray diffraction indicates that Li⁺ is strongly protective against surface roughening caused by subsurface oxidation. Although Cs⁺ is situated near the Pt surface, the weak protective effect of Cs⁺ results in irreversible surface roughening due to subsurface oxidation.     

The temperature dependence and the mechanism of the SO2 (3B1) quenching reactions

The Arrhenius parameters have been determined for the SO₂(³B₁) quenching reaction (9), SO₂(³B₁) + M → (SO₂ ? M), for 21 different molecules as quenching partner M. The rate constants were calculated from phosphorescence lifetime measurements made over a range of reactant pressures and temperatures. Excitation of the SO₂ (³B₁) molecules was accomplished by two very different methods: (1) a 3829 Å laser pulse generated the triplet directly through absorption within the “forbidden” SO₂ (³B₁) → SO₂ (¹A₁) band; (2) a broadband Xe-flash system generated SO₂(³B₁) molecules and triplets were formed subsequently by intersystem crossing, SO₂(¹B₁) + M → SO₂(³B₁) + M. The measured rate constants were independent of the method of triplet formation employed. For the atmospheric gases, the activation energies (kcal/mole) were identical within the experimental error: N₂, 2.9 ± 0.4; 0₂, 3.2 ± 0.5; Ar, 2.8 ± 0.6; CO₂, 2.8 ± 0.4; CO, 2.7 ± 0.4; CH₄, 2.5 ± 0.6. This energy corresponds to the first region of the SO₂(³B₁) → SO₂(¹A₁) absorption spectra in which Brand and coworkers observe strong perturbations. It is suggested that the quenching in these cases results largely from the physical process involving potential energy surface crossing to another electronic state. Activation energies for SO₂(³B₁) quenching by the paraffinic hydrocarbons show a regular decrease in the series ethane, neopentane, propane, n-butane, cyclohexane, and isobutane, which parallels closely the decrease in C? H bond energies in these compounds. These and other data are most consistent with the dominance of chemical quenching in these cases. The rate constants for the olefinic and aromatic hydrocarbons and nitric oxide show only very small variations with temperature change, and they are near the kinetic collision number. These data support the hypothesis that quenching in these cases is associated with the formation of a charge-transfer complex and subsequent chemical interactions between the SO₂(³B₁) molecule and the π-system of these compounds.     

Absolute quantum yield measurements for the formation of oxygen atoms after UV laser excitation of SO2 at 222-4 nm

The dynamics of formation of oxygen atoms after UV photoexcitation of SO₂ in the gas-phase was studied by pulsed laser photolysis-laser-inducedfluorescence ‘pump-and-probe’ technique in a flow reactor. SO₂ at room-temperature was excited at the KrCl excimer laser wavelength (222.4 nm) and O(³P_j) photofragments were detected under collision-free conditions by vacuum ultraviolet laser-induced fluorescence. The use of narrow-band probe laser radiation, generated viaresonant third-order sum-difference frequency conversion of dye laser radiation in Krypton, allowed the measurement of the nascent O(³P_j=2,1,0) fine-structure state distribution:n _j=2/n_j=1/n_j=0 = (0.88 ± 0.02)/(0.10 ± 0.01)/(0.02 ± 0.01). Employing NO₂photolysis as a reference, a value of Φ₀(³P) = 0.13 ± 0.05 for the absolute O(³P) atom quantum yield was determined. The measured O(³P) quantum yield is compared with the results of earlier fluorescence quantum yield measurements. A suitable mechanism is suggested in which the dissociation proceeds via internal conversion from high rotational states of the initially excited SO₂(~C¹B₂ (1, 2, 2) vibronic level to nearby continuum states of the electronic ground state.