Electrochemical synthesis of niobium compounds in anodic dissolution of ferroniobium in methanol

Anodic dissolution of ferroniobium in anhydrous methanol in the presence of sodium methylate was studied. The possibility of recovering pure hexamethoxyniobate from the electrolyzate and its conversion into niobium methylate with an iron content not exceeding 0.01% was analyzed.     

交流阻抗法在细胞分析应用中的研究进展

交流阻抗法作为一种新型的无标记、全程动态、实时分析方法已在细胞研究中得到了广泛应用。本文综述了基于交流阻抗法进行细胞分析的研究新进展,重点对非法拉第阻抗谱法和法拉第阻抗谱法用于细胞分析的原理及应用进行了总结,主要包括交流阻抗法在细胞形态、细胞生长、细胞增殖、细胞凋亡以及作用于细胞的药效和毒性研究中的应用,并对其发展趋势进行了展望。     

Electrochemical noise generated by anodic dissolution or diffusion processes

A model of the noise generated by electrochemical reactions and by diffusion is proposed. The elementary fluctuations are supposed to be the particle fluxes which are Poisson white noise. This model is successfully used to describe the experimental stochastic behaviour of two cases of non-equilibrium electrochemical interfaces: the noise generated by anodic dissolution of iron in acidic medium and that by diffusion of a reacting species in the bulk of the electrolyte.     

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in interfacial studies

A fundamental aim in the field of electrochemistry is to investigate electron transfer events caused by electrode processes, which are more commonly described as redox reactions. In this short review, an overview of the use of electrochemical redox reactions in the realm of organic synthesis is given. These reactions can be divided into three subcategories: cathodic reduction, anodic oxidation, and a paired approach. This short review illustrates the basic schemes of these reactions and introduces representative examples that have been reported in the past 2 years, with a particular emphasis on the development of novel reactions.     

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopic analysis of dye-sensitized solar cells

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) has been performed to investigate electronic and ionic processes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC). A theoretical model has been elaborated, to interpret the frequency response of the device. The high-frequency feature is attributed to the charge transfer at the counter electrode while the response in the intermediate-frequency region is associated with the electron transport in the mesoscopic TiO2 film and the back reaction at the TiO2/electrolyte interface. The low-frequency region reflects the diffusion in the electrolyte. Using an appropriate equivalent circuit, the electron transport rate and electron lifetime in the mesoscopic film have been derived, which agree with the values derived from transient photocurrent and photovoltage measurements. The EIS measurements show that DSC performance variations under prolonged thermal aging result mainly from the decrease in the lifetime of the conduction band electron in the TiO2 film.     

Electrochemical studies on Zn deposition and dissolution in sulphate electrolyte

The electrochemical deposition and dissolution of Zn on Pt electrode in sulphate electrolyte was investigated by electrochemical methods in an attempt to contribute to the better understanding of the more complex Zn–Cr alloy electrodeposition process. A decrease of the Zn electrolyte pH (from 5.4 to 1.0) so as to minimise/avoid the formation of hydroxo-products of Cr in the electrolyte for deposition of alloy coatings decreases the current efficiency for the Zn reaction, but the rate of the cathode reaction increases significantly due to intense hydrogen evolution. The results of the investigations in Zn electrolytes with pH 1.0–1.6 indicate that Zn bulk deposition is preceded by hydrogen evolution, stepwise Zn underpotential deposition (UPD) and formation of a Zn–Pt alloy. Hydrogen evolution from H₂O starts in the potential range of Zn bulk deposition. Data obtained from the electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) measurements support the assumption that electrochemical deposition of Zn proceeds at potentials more positive than the reversible potential of Zn. Anodic potentiodynamic curves for galvanostatically and potentiostatically deposited Zn layers provide indirect evidence about the dissolution of Zn from an alloy with the Pt substrate. The presumed potential of co-deposition of Cr (−1.9 V vs. Hg/Hg₂SO₄) is reached at a current density of about 300 mA cm⁻².     

Electrochemical studies of the nickel anode in anhydrous HF

Fluorine evolution and electrochemical fluorination (e.c.f.) were studied on a Ni anode in anhydrous hydrofluoric acid. The perfluorination of methane sulphonyl fluoride was used as a model e.c.f. reaction. Experiments using rotating disc electrodes showed that mass transport is not a limiting factor in either case under the conditions studied. Cathodic and anodic transients were used to study the surface species formed at the Ni anode. Analysis of the data indicates that the faradaic processes can take place on a surface which may be in a higher or lower oxidation state and a mechanism is discussed on this basis.     

Investigation of carbon steel anodic dissolution in ammonium chloride solutions using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

The anodic dissolution of carbon steel in ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) solutions (5, 10, and 20 wt%) is investigated via various electrochemical techniques and other complementary techniques. The polarization measurements reveals that the carbon steel is susceptible to general corrosion. The impedance data taken at various overpotentials shows multiple loops, corresponding to capacitance, inductance, and negative capacitance, and the number of time constants observed is also not the same for various NH₄Cl concentrations. From reaction mechanism analysis, a multi-step reaction mechanism with three adsorbed intermediates and three dissolution paths (one chemical path and two electrochemical paths) is proposed to describe the observed patterns in impedance measurements. The surface coverage of intermediate species and the contribution of chemical reaction and electrochemical reaction to the overall corrosion rate are also estimated from the proposed model. The results obtained from field emission scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy measurements are also reported.     

Influence of the electrolyte composition and pH on the anodic dissolution of p-type Si in aqueous HF solutions

The influence of the electrolyte composition and pH on the anodic currents obtained during electrochemical etching of p-type silicon in aqueous HF solutions has been investigated. Original and accurate pH measurements were performed to characterize the exact composition of the HF + H₂O electrolytes commonly used. It is shown that for these very acid solutions (pH < 2) almost all fluoride is in the form of the non-dissociated HF species which appears to play a preponderant role in the silicon dissolution reaction kinetics. The effect of pH can be restricted to its influence on the modification of the different concentrations by shifting the equilibria.     

New data from impedance measurements concerning the anodic dissolution of iron in acidic sulphuric media

A flow cell assembly is described featuring ultra-low electrolyte flow propulsion rates (10^?5 to 10^?3 cm³ s^?1) in combination with a working electrode compartment of thin layer dimensions (thickness < 10^?2 cm), enabling thus the exhaustive electrolysis of electroactive species at a potential-controlled detector electrode. The cell can be used to detect trace amounts (>10^?12 mol) of electroactive species delivered into or withdrawn from the streaming electrolyte, such as compounds adsorbed at or desorbed from an ideally polarizable electrode, allowing the independent determination of Δq- and Λ-isotherms of cation adsorbates. The flow cell has been used to study the adsorption of Tl on polycrystalline Ag in KCl solution. The isotherms obtained can be interpreted in terms of competitive Cl^? adsorption within the Tl⁺ adsorption range.     

Electrochemical synthesis of lead fluoroborate by anodic dissolution of lead in fluoroboric acid solution

Lead fluoroborate solution was prepared by anodic dissolution of lead in fluoroboric acid solution. The optimal current density could reach 2 A/dm² with a current efficiency over 90%. The exchange current density of this system was found to be 0.649 A/dm² and to follow the Tafel Equation.Polarography shows that the cathodic reaction of lead fluoroborate involves only free lead ions with a charge transfer number equal to 2.     

NMR spectroscopic studies on the mechanism of cellulose dissolution in alkali solutions

It was considered that the dissolution of cellulose in alkali solutions is mainly due to the breakage of hydrogen bonds. As an alkali hydroxide, KOH can provide OH^? just like LiOH and NaOH; but it is well known that LiOH and NaOH can dissolve cellulose, whereas KOH can only swell cellulose. The inability of KOH to dissolve cellulose was investigated and the mechanism of cellulose dissolving in alkali solutions was proposed. The dissolution behavior of cellulose and cellobiose in LiOH, NaOH and KOH were studied by means of ¹H and ¹³C NMR as well as longitudinal relaxation times. The structure and properties of the three alkali solutions were compared. The results show that alkali share the same interaction mode with cellobiose and with the magnitude of LiOH > NaOH > KOH; the alkalis influence the structure of water also in the same order LiOH > NaOH > KOH. The different behavior of the three alkalis lies in the different structure of the cation hydration ions. Li⁺ and Na⁺ can form two hydration shells, while K⁺ can only form loose first hydration shell. The key to the alkali solution can or cannot dissolve cellulose is whether the cation hydration ions can form stable complex with cellulose or not. K⁺ cannot form stable complex with cellulose result in the KOH solution can only swell cellulose.     

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopic analysis of aluminum and gallium mixed matrix membranes

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Mixed matrix membrane revolutionized the field of electrochemistry with its multiple applications as a solid electrolyte, actuator, sensor, and storage...     

NMR spectroscopic studies on dissolution of softwood pulp with enhanced reactivity

N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMMO) is a known cellulose solvent used in industrial scale (LyoCel process). We have studied interactions between pretreated softwood pulp fibers and aqueous NMMO using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic methods, including solid state cross polarisation magic angle spinning (CP-MAS) ¹³C and ¹⁵N spectroscopies, and ¹H high resolution MAS NMR spectroscopy. Changes in both cellulose morphology and in accessibility of solvents were observed after the pulp samples that were exposed to solvent species were treated at elevated temperature. Evidence about interactions between cellulose and solvent components was observed already after a heat treatment of 15 min. The crystalline structure of cellulose was seen to remain intact for the first 30 min of heat treatment, at the same time there was a re-distribution of solvent species taking place. After a 90 min heat treatment the crystalline structure of cellulose had experienced major changes, and potential signs of regeneration into cellulose II were observed.     

Memory-switching phenomenon in acceptor-rich organic molecules: impedance spectroscopic studies

We have studied memory-switching phenomena in terms of impedance spectroscopy in a series of xanthene-class fluorescein molecules. Frequency response studies have revealed that the electronic conduction mechanism was largely tuned by increasing the number of acceptor groups attached to the molecular backbone. In molecules with weak intermolecular interactions, the transition between a low- and a high-conducting state has been associated with a change in bulk resistance and dielectric properties. The devices in the two states remained a parallel combination of a resistor and a capacitor (C(P)-R(P)) network. In devices based on Rose Bengal, which exhibits a strong dipole-dipole interaction due to its acceptor groups, the switching between the states has been modeled as a transition between a C(P)-R(P) network in the off-state and a distributed resistor-capacitor (R-C) line network in the on-state. Instead of isolated clusters, a highly coupled network of reduced Rose Bengal molecules with strong dipole-dipole interaction yielded the high-conducting state. Under a "write-read-erase-read" sequence, the device switched between the two networks reversibly for many cycles.     

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopic measurements of FCCP-induced change in membrane permeability of MDCK cells

This study demonstrates a new electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) method for measurements of the changes in membrane permeability during the process of cell anoxia. Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells were employed as the model cells and were cultured onto gelatin-modified glassy carbon (GC) electrodes. EIS measurements were conducted at the MDCK/gelatin-modified GC electrodes with Fe(CN)(6)(3-/4-) as the redox probe. The anoxia of the cells grown onto electrode surface was induced by the addition of carbonycyanide p-(trifluoromethoxy) phenylhydrazone (FCCP) into the cell culture, in which the MDCK/gelatin-modified GC electrodes were immersed for different times. The EIS results show that the presence of FCCP in the cell culture clearly decreases the charge-transfer resistance of the Fe(CN)(6)(3-/4-) redox probe at the MDCK/gelatin-modified GC electrodes, and the charge-transfer resistance decreases with increasing time employed for immersing the MDCK/gelatin-modified GC electrodes into the cell culture containing FCCP. These results demonstrate that the EIS method could be used to monitor the changes in the cell membrane permeability during the FCCP-induced cell anoxia. To simulate the EIS system, a rational equivalent circuit was proposed and the values of ohmic resistance of the electrolyte, charge-transfer resistance and constant phase elements for both the gelatin and the cell layers are given with the fitting error in an acceptable value. This study actually offers a new and simple approach to measuring the dynamic process of cell death induced by anoxia through monitoring the changes in the cell membrane permeability.     

Interface stoichiometry and structure in anodic niobium pentoxide

High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) were performed on electrochemically anodized niobium and niobium oxide. Sintered anodes of Nb and NbO powders were anodized in 0.1 wt% H3PO4 at 10, 20, and 65 V to form surface Nb2O5 layers with an average anodization constant of 3.6 +/- 0.2 nm/V. The anode/dielectric interfaces were continuous and the dielectric layers were amorphous except for occurrences of plate-like, orthorhombic pentoxide crystallites in both anodes formed at 65 V. Using EELS stoichiometry quantification and relative chemical shifts of the Nb M4,5 ionization edge, a suboxide transition layer at the amorphous pentoxide interface on the order of 5 nm was detected in the Nb anodes, whereas no interfacial suboxide layers were detected in the NbO anodes.     

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopic study of perfluorovinyl ether copolymer with tetrafluoroethylene in the swollen state

The temperature and frequency dependences of the dielectric impedance of the perfluorovinyl ether copolymer with tetrafluoroethylene have been studied. The impedance spectra of the films swollen in water have been measured in the frequency range of 10^?1–10⁷ Hz at 213–278 K. The model of equivalent electric chains has been suggested for analysis of the frequency dependence of dielectric impedance. The parameters of this model have been calculated. The correlation of these parameters with effects in a polymer matrix is described. Specifically, the pure ohmic conductivity is determined for the copolymer under study.     

Ellipsometric study of anodic oxide films formed on niobium surfaces

Anodic oxide films formed potentiostatically on niobium surfaces, from open circuit potential (OCP) to 10 V, were studied by performing in situ and ex situ ellipsometric measurements. The kinetics of the film thickness growth in 1 M H₂SO₄ and complex indices of refraction of these films were determined. A strong influence of the surface preparation conditions on the complex refractive indices of the metal substrate and anodic oxide films was shown. By steady-state measurements at OCP, a small thickening of the natural air-formed oxide film with chemical composition Nb₂O₅ in 1 M H₂SO₄ solution was detected. With cathodic pre-treatment, only partial reduction and small thinning of the natural air-formed oxide film was possible. The thicknesses of the natural air-formed oxide films on fine mechanically polished and electropolished Nb surfaces were determined. The build up of the natural air-formed oxide film, at ex situ conditions, on the already formed anodic oxide films was confirmed. It was shown that electropolishing gives more similar optical surface properties to the bare metal than the fine mechanical polishing. Electronic Publication     

Regularities of gold anodic dissolution in thiocarbamide solutions

It is shown that the gold dissolution in thiocarbamide electrolytes containing sulfide ions in the pH range from 1 to 4 proceeds with a current efficiently of almost 100%, and a change in solution acidity has a weak effect on the process. The oxidation of thiocarbamide to formamidine disulfide proceeds at the potentials around 1.1 V and depends on the pH of solution. When the pH value is raised, the thiocarbamide oxidation potential shifts in the negative direction and approaches the potential of gold dissolution. It is found that, in the absence of catalytically active species, the gold dissolution rate in thiocarbamide solutions in the pH range from 6 to 10 is vary low. At these pH values, as well as in the acidic solutions, an addition of less than 10⁻⁴ M sulfide ions to thiocarbamide electrolyte accelerates the gold dissolution at the potentials about 0.6 V. It is shown that sulfide ions in the concentration above 10⁻⁴ M inhibit the process. At pH 11, the gold dissolution proceeds also with no special addition of sulfide ions. This is associated with the formation of sulfide ions as a result of accelerated decomposition of thiocarbamide and formamidine disulfide with increasing pH value. It is found that in the pH range from 12 to 13, the processes of gold dissolution and thiocarbamide oxidation are inhibited as a result of the formation of passive film on the electrode surface. Probably, the film consists of elemental sulfur.