Ion Transfer in CdF<Subscript>2</Subscript>-based Iso- and Polyvalent Solid Solutions

The ionic conductivity of solid solution Cd_0.77Sr_0.23F₂ is 1.6 × 10⁻⁴ S/cm at 500 K. The conduction mechanism changes from a vacancy mechanism to an interstitial one at 523–553 K. In solid solutions Cd_0.9R_0.1F_2.1 (R = La-Lu, Y), the activation enthalpy of conduction decreases from 0.9 to 0.8 eV with decreasing ionic radius of R³⁺, raising the 500-K conductivity from 6 ×10⁻⁶ S/cm for La³⁺to 6 × 10⁻⁵ S/cm for Lu³⁺. For crystalline Cd_0.95In_0.05F_2.05, ionic and electronic conductivities at 313 K equal 5 × 10⁻⁴ and 5 − 10⁻⁶ S/cm.__________Translated from Elektrokhimiya, Vol. 41, No. 5, 2005, pp. 627–632.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Sorokin, Buchinskaya, Sul’yanova, Sobolev.     

Superionic fluoride ceramics RF<Subscript>3</Subscript> and R<Subscript>0.95</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.05</Subscript>F<Subscript>2.95</Subscript> (R = La,Ce, Pr,Nd) prepared by hot pressing

RF₃ and R_0.95Sr_0.05F_2.95 (R = La, Ce, Pr, Nd) ceramic specimens were prepared by hot pressing at 1173 K under pressure of 3 × 10⁸ Pa for 20 min. The ionic conductivity value was determined by means of impedance spectroscopy in vacuum from 293 to 823 K. For LaF₃ at 350 K, the single crystal / ceramics conductivity ratio is about 5. The difference decreases at higher temperature and disappears about 500 K. The ionic conductivity activation energy is 0.30 ± 0.05 eV. For La_0.95Sr_0.05F_2.95, the conductivity of ceramics below 500 K is slightly lower that of single crystals. At T > 500 K, the conductivity values of ceramic and single crystal specimens practically coincide. The ionic conductivity of hot pressed ceramics is about 10^?2 S/cm at 500 K and activation energy is 0.25 ± 0.02 eV.     

Effect of the Electrode Potential on the Oxygen Reaction Rate in the Electrode System O2, Au/La0.88Sr0.12Ga0.82Mg0.18O2.85

The polarization dependences of a porous gold electrode in contact with a solid electrolyte of the composition La_0.88Sr_0.12Ga_0.82Mg_0.18O_2.85 are studied at 600–800°C and oxygen pressures of 2 × 10⁻²-1 atm. It is shown that the rate of cathodic reduction of oxygen out of the gas phase depends on the preliminary treatment of the sample. The activation energy is equal to 110–135 kJ mol⁻¹ at a low polarization. After increasing the polarization, the activation energy for the cathodic reduction of oxygen equals 75–85 kJ mol⁻¹ and depends on the oxygen pressure as a power function with a power index of 1/4. The rate of the anodic evolution of oxygen is dependent neither on the preliminary treatment of the sample nor on the oxygen pressure in the gas phase and the polarization curve has a characteristic segment, which corresponds to a limiting overvoltage.__________Translated from Elektrokhimiya, Vol. 41, No. 8, 2005, pp. 954–962.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Shkerin, Sokolova, Beresnev.     

Conductivity of Lanthanum-Strontium Cuprate LaSrCuO<Subscript>4−δ</Subscript> and Ionic Reversibility of Relevant Electrodes

A single-phase sample of the LaSrCuO_3.58 composition is prepared by solid-state synthesis at 1473 K in air. The conductivity of LaSrCuO_3.58 is measured by a four-probe method at direct current in the temperature range from 298 to 1173 K at oxygen partial pressures from 28 to 2.1 × 10⁴ Pa. Heating samples above ∼670 K is shown to result in a changeover of the conduction type from semiconducting (p-type) to metallic. Exchange currents at the LSCuO/YSZ interface are measured by impedance spectroscopy. The measurements are carried out in high-density symmetrical cells LSCuO|YSZ|LSCuO, fabricated by hot pressing of powders under a pressure of 3.5 × 10⁹ Pa at 773 K. Experimental exchange currents i ₀ (varying from 10⁻³ to 10⁻⁴ A/cm² in the temperature interval from 800 to 1173 K) are comparable with such of materials based of lanthanum-strontium manganite.__________Translated from Elektrokhimiya, Vol. 41, No. 5, 2005, pp. 516–522.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Mazo, Savvin, Mychka, Dobrovol’skii, Leonova.     

Photoelectrochemical behavior of coupled SnO2|CdSe nanocrystalline semiconductor films

A photoelectrochemical cell with a coupled SnO₂|CdSe nanocrystalline semiconductor electrode has been prepared by sequential deposition of SnO₂ and CdSe films onto an optically transparent electrode (OTE), and its photoelectrochemical behavior has been studied. The results show that the coupling of CdSe with SnO₂ leads to an improvement in the performance of OTE|SnO₂|CdSe over OTE|CdSe cells in terms of increased incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency, increased stability and smaller reversal of current. The favorable positioning of the energy bands of SnO₂ and CdSe is responsible for the above observations. Various photoelectrochemical parameters of the OTE|SnO₂|CdSe cell obtained for an incident light power of 0.31 mW cm⁻² at 470nm, are as follows: I_sc ≈ 25–30 μA cm⁻², V_oc ≈ 0.5–0.6 V, ƒƒ = 0.47 and a power conversion efficiency of about 2.25%.     

Adsorption of 2-amino-5-nitropyridine on the (111) and (210) silver faces

The adsorption isotherms of 2-amino-5-nitropyridine (ANP) on the (111) and (210) silver faces from an aqueous solution of 0.09 M KClO₄ + 0.02 M NaOH were determined at −0.4 V vs. the 1 mol⁻¹ calomel electrode using double-potential-step chronocoulometry. The surface concentration Γ_ANP of ANP was obtained by stepping the applied potential from −0.4 V, where ANP is electroinactive, to −1.2 V, where ANP is electroreduced to 2,5-diaminopyridine. The charge involved in this step, once corrected for the diffusive and capacitive contributions, yields 6FΓ_ANP directly. The maximum surface concentration and standard Gibbs energy of adsorption are equal to 3.6 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol cm⁻² and −35 kJ mol⁻¹ on Ag(111) and 5.2 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol cm⁻² and 42 kJ mol⁻¹ on Ag(210), thus demonstrating the strong effect of surface crystallography on the energetics of ANP adsorption.     

Voltammetric studies on the α-tocopherol anion and α-tocopheroxyl (Vitamin E) radical in acetonitrile

The α-tocopheroxyl radical was generated voltammetrically by one-electron oxidation of the α-tocopherol anion (E ^r_1/2=−0.73 V versus Ag|Ag⁺) that was prepared by reacting α-tocopherol with Et₄NOH in acetonitrile (with Bu₄NPF₆ as the supporting electrolyte). Cyclic voltammograms recorded at variable scan rates (0.05–10 V s⁻¹), temperatures (−20 to 20°C) and concentrations (0.5–10 mM) were modelled using digital simulation techniques to determine the rate of bimolecular self-reaction of α-tocopheroxyl radicals. The k values were calculated to be 3×10³ l mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ at 20°C, 2×10³ l mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ at 0°C and 1.2×10³ l mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ at −20°C. In situ electrochemical-EPR experiments performed at a channel electrode confirmed the existence of the α-tocopheroxyl radical.     

Superionic Conduction in Complex Fluorides of Antimony(III) MnSbxFy (M—Cations of an Alkali Metal, Ammonium, or Thallium, n = 1–3, and x = 1–4)

Methods of ¹⁹F NMR and impedance spectroscopy are used to investigate the internal mobility of fluoride (ammonium) ions and electrophysical characteristics of complex trivalent antimony fluorides MSb₄F₁₃, MSb₃F₁₀, MSb₂F₇, M₂Sb₃F₁₁, M₃Sb₄F₁₅, and MSbF₄ (M is an alkali cation, ammonium, thallium). The ion motion types in the cationic and anionic sublattices of the fluorides are determined at 150–500 K. The polymorphous transformations in the fluorides are usually phase transitions to a superionic state and their high ionic (superionic) conductivity (σ ≥ 10⁻⁴ to 10⁻² S cm⁻¹ at 400 K) is due to the diffusion motion of ions of fluoride, ammonium, and possibly sodium, potassium, and thallium. The high polarizability of thallium ions favors the development of high mobility of fluoride ions in the fluorides.__________Translated from Elektrokhimiya, Vol. 41, No. 5, 2005, pp. 560–572.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Kavun, Uvarov, Slobodyuk, Brovkina, Zemnukhova, Sergienko.     

Adsorption of n-pentanol from KPF6 aqueous solution on the (100) and (110) faces of Ag single crystal electrodes

The potential dependence of the adsorption of n-pentanol (NP) on the (100) and (110) faces of Ag single crystal electrodes from aqueous KPF₆ solutions has been studied at 10 mV s⁻¹ potential scan rate by measuring the impedance both at constant frequency (f) and by sweeping f from 11 kHz to 0.1 Hz. The adsorption of NP has been found to be strongly dependent on crystal orientation. The results have been compared with those obtained on Ag(111) with the same kind of single crystal preparation, as well as with Ag(100) electrolytically grown in a Teflon capillary [A. Popov, O. Velev, T. Vitanov, J. Electroanal. Chem. 256 (1988) 405].     

Fabrication of multilayer ceramic structure for fuel cell based on La(Sr)Ga(Mg)O<Subscript>3</Subscript>–La(Sr)Fe(Ga)O<Subscript>3</Subscript> cathode

Fabrication by co-sintering method of a multilayer pore-free electrode–electrolyte structure promising for use in solid-oxide fuel cell and its characteristics have been studied. A material with high ionic conductivity of La_0.88Sr_0.12Ga_0.82Mg_0.18O_3–δ (LSGM) served as electrolyte. The composite electrode was formed from a 1: 2 mixture of LSGM and LSFG (La_0.7Sr_0.3Fe_0.95Ga_0.05O_3–δ). The maximum temperature of the materials co-sintering ability is 1250°C. It was shown by the impedance spectroscopy that the polarization resistance of the LSGM–LSFG electrode is 0.14 Ω cm² at 800°C.     

Amino Acid Determination Using Screen-Printed Electrochemical Sensors

The use of a screen-printed electrochemical sensor (SPES) strip, consisting of a two-electrode system (a carbon working electrode and Ag/AgCl reference electrode), for amino acid determination is reported.The behaviour of the SPES toward cysteine and tyrosine is investigated using linear sweep and hydrodynamic voltammetries. The SPES operate at a lower oxidation potential (vs. Ag/AgCl) compared with traditional carbon and platinum electrodes, in a buffer solution (pH = 7) prepared using 0.1 M phosphates and 0.1 M KCl. The linear response lies between 5 * 10⁻⁵ M and 5 * 10⁻⁴ M for both amino acids while the sensitivity is 2.95±0.03 µA mM⁻¹ for cysteine and 8.00±0.01 µA mM ⁻¹for tyrosine; the correlation coefficient is higher than 0.9980. The sensors were applied to the analysis of some commercial pharmaceutical samples, and the results suggested that the devices hold promise in this application area.     

Voltammetry of immobilized cytochrome c on novel binary self-assembled monolayers of thioctic acid and thioctic amide modified gold electrodes

Horse heart cytochrome c (cyt c) was adsorbed on the binary self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) composed of thioctic acid (T-COOH) and thioctic amide (T-NH₂) at gold electrodes via electrostatic interaction. The cyt c adsorbed on the modified gold electrode exhibited well-defined reversible electrochemical behavior in 10 mM phosphate buffer solution (PBS, pH 7.0). The surface concentration (Γ) of electroactive species, cyt c, on the binary SAMs was higher than that in single-component SAMs of T-COOH, and reached a maximum value of 9.2 × 10⁻¹² mol cm⁻² when the ratio of T-COOH to T-NH₂ in adsorption solution was of 3:2, and the formal potential (E^0′=(E_pa+E_pc)/2) of cyt c was −0.032 V (vs. Ag|AgCl (3 M NaCl)) in a 10 mM PBS. The interaction between cyt c and the binary SAMs made the E^0′ shift negatively when compared with that of cyt c in solution (+0.258 V vs. NHE, i.e., +0.058 V vs. Ag|AgCl (3 M NaCl)). The fractional coverage of bound cyt c was a 0.64 theoretical monolayer. The standard electron transfer rate constant of cyt c immobilized on the binary SAMs was also higher than that on single-component SAMs of T-COOH, and the maximum value of 15.8 ± 0.6 s⁻¹ was obtained when the ratio of T-COOH to T-NH₂ in adsorption solution was at 3:2. The results suggest that the electrode modified with the binary SAMs functions better than the electrode modified with single-component SAMs of T-COOH.     

Synthesis, spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of manganese, nickel and iron octakis-(2-diethylaminoethanethiol)-phthalocyanine

The syntheses, spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of manganese (3), nickel (4) and iron (5) phthalocyanine complexes, octa-substituted at the peripheral positions with diethlyaminoethanethiol substituent, are reported. The electrochemistry of these complexes and the corresponding cobalt complex (6) are reported. Complex 3 showed two reversible reduction couples attributed to the Mn^IIIPc⁻²/Mn^IIPc⁻² (E_½ = −0.12 V versus Ag|AgCl) and Mn^IIPc⁻²/Mn^IIPc⁻³ (E_½ = −0.82 V versus Ag|AgCl) species. Two ring-based reduction couples were also observed for complex 4. Two reduction couples, assigned to the Fe^IIPc⁻²/Fe^IPc⁻² (E_½ = −0.35 V versus Ag|AgCl) and Fe^IPc⁻²/Fe^IPc⁻³ (E_½ = −0.96 V versus Ag|AgCl) species, and an oxidation couple, attributed to Fe^IIIPc⁻²/Fe^IIPc⁻² (E_½ = 0.26 V versus Ag|AgCl) species, were observed. For complex 6, two reductions and one oxidation were also observed with the potential range of 1.2 to −1.8 V versus Ag|AgCl Spectroelectrochemical studies were used to confirm some of the assigned processes.     

Electrochemical study of isopoly and heteropoly anion transfer across the water | nitrobenzene interface. Part II. Vanadium-containing heteropolytungstate anions

The electrochemical transfer behaviour of vanadium-containing heteropolytungstate anions [PW_12−xV_xO₄₀]^(3+x)− (x = 1−4) across the water | nitrobenzene interface has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry and chronopotentiometry with cyclic linear current scanning. The transfer of PW₁₁V₁O⁴⁻₄₀, HPW₁₀V₂O⁴⁻₄₀, H₂PW₁₀V₂O³⁻₄₀, H₃PW₉V₃O³⁻₄₀ and H₄PW₈V₄O³⁻₄₀ across the water | nitrobenzene interface can be observed within the potential window. The effects were observed of pH in the water phase on the transfer behaviour and the formation of vanadium-containing heteropolytungstate anions in solution. Heteropolytungstate anions become more stable due to their involving the vanadium atom. The degree of protonation and the dissociation constant of the trivalent vanadium-containing heteropolytungstate anion of protonation increase with increasing vanadium content. The transfer processes are diffusion-controlled. The standard transfer potential, the standard Gibbs energy and the dissociation constant for vanadium-containing heteropolytungstate anions have been obtained and the transfer mechanisms are discussed.     

Impedance of the SnO<Subscript>2</Subscript>|liquid crystal ZhK-440|SnO<Subscript>2</Subscript> system

The SnO₂|ZhK-440|SnO₂ system, where the ZhK-440 is a liquid crystal mixture consisting of 2/3 parts of p-butyl-p'-methyloxyazoxybenzene and 1/3 part of p-butyl-p'-heptanoyloxyazoxybenzene, was studied by impedance spectroscopy. The impedance spectrum of the system contained the contributions from electric conductivity and bulk and electrode polarizations. The models of bulk and electrode impedance were discussed.     

A new potentiometric ibuprofenate ion sensor immobilized in a graphite matrix for determination of ibuprofen in tablets

The characteristics, performance, and application of an electrode, namely, Pt|Hg|Hg₂(IBP)₂|Graphite, where IBP stands for ibuprofenate ion, are described. This electrode responds to IBP with sensitivity of (58.6 ± 0.9) mV decade^− 1 over the range 5.0 × 10^− 5–1.0 × 10^− 1 mol L^− 1 at pH 6.0–9.0 and a detection limit of 3.8 × 10^− 5 mol L^− 1. The electrode is easily constructed at a relatively low cost with fast response time (within 15–30 s) and can be used for a period of 5 months without any considerable divergence in potentials. The proposed sensor displayed good selectivity for ibuprofen in the presence of several substances, especially concerning carboxylate and inorganic anions. It was used for the direct assay of ibuprofen in commercial tablets by means of the standard additions method. The analytical results obtained by using this electrode are in good agreement with those given by the United States Pharmacopeia procedure.     

EPR and optical absorption studies of Cr ions in d-gluconic acid monohydrate

EPR studies are carried out on Cr³⁺ ions doped in d-gluconic acid monohydrate (C₆H₁₂O₇·H₂O) single crystals at 77 K. From the observed EPR spectra, the spin Hamiltonian parameters g, |D| and |E| are measured to be 1.9919, 349 (×10⁻⁴) cm⁻¹ and 113 (×10⁻⁴) cm⁻¹, respectively. The optical absorption of the crystal is also studied at room temperature. From the observed band positions, the cubic crystal field splitting parameter Dq (2052 cm⁻¹) and the Racah interelectronic repulsion parameter B (653 cm⁻¹) are evaluated. From the correlation of EPR and optical data the nature of bonding of Cr³⁺ ion with its ligands is discussed.     

Temperature dependence of the polarization resistance of the O<Subscript>2</Subscript>,Au/La<Subscript>0.88</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.12</Subscript>Ga<Subscript>0.82</Subscript>Mg<Subscript>0.18</Subscript>O<Subscript>2.85</Subscript> electrode system

The impedance of a porous gold electrode in contact with solid electrolyte La_0.88Sr_0.12Ga_0.82Mg_0.18O_2.85 and the effect of the manufacture conditions on its polarization resistance are studied at 600–800°C in air. The overall oxygen reaction rate on a gold electrode is described as the sum of two partial constituents, namely, the oxygen exchange at the gas/electrolyte interface at the gold/gas/electrolyte triple-phased boundary.Translated from Elektrokhimiya, Vol. 41, No. 2, 2005, pp. 190–197.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Shkerin, Sokolova, Khlupin, Beresnev.This revised version was published online in April 2005 with corrections to the article note and article title and cover date.     

Oxygen Transport in the SOFC Cathode

The impedance of the La_0.75Sr_0.2MnO₃-cathode/electrolyte interface for cathodes with different porosity is measured. The impedance spectra are fitted using a developed model of the oxygen transport at this interface. After the measurements, the cathode is removed from the electrolyte. The contact area and the three-phase boundary length (TPBL) at the interface are estimated from SEM images of the electrolyte surface. The dependence of the interfacial electrical resistance on the microstructure is discussed. It is shown that the bulk diffusion of oxygen vacancies at the interface at 950°C is high enough to use the whole La_0.75Sr_0.2MnO₃/YSZ contact area F for the oxygen transport into the electrolyte for microstructures with 2F/TPBL 2 m. The impact of the surface diffusion of oxygen species on polarization resistance at operation temperatures <900°C is discussed. The polarization resistance and the morphology of composite cathodes made from La_0.75Sr_0.2MnO₃/YSZ and yttria- or scandia-stabilized zirconia powders (3YSZ, 8YSZ, 10ScSZ) are investigated by impedance spectroscopy at 800–950°C. The polarization (interfacial) resistance decreases gradually with addition of electrolyte powder in the uLSM cathode material independent of the electrolyte powder used. The interfacial resistance of the uLSM/3YSZ, uLSM/8YSZ, and uLSM/10ScSZ composite cathodes is almost the same. The interaction between uLSM and doped zirconia particles is discussed on the basis of the interfacial resistance, activation energies, and high-frequency impedance.     

Electropolymerization of 3-methylthiophene at liquid 3-methylthiophene | aqueous solution | graphite three-phase junction

Droplets of 3-methylthiophene are mechanically attached to the surface of paraffin-impregnated graphite electrode (PIGE) and immersed into aqueous solution of LiClO₄. It is demonstrated that the oxidative electropolymerization (observed in non-aqueous solutions) can be accomplished by potential cycling between −0.3 and 1.4 V vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE). Since the droplets do not contain a dissolved electrolyte, the electrochemical reaction starts at the very edge of the three-phase junction organic droplet | graphite | aqueous electrolyte.