Mass transport in a boundary layer and in an ion exchange membrane: Mechanism of concentration polarization and water dissociation

In an unforced flowing NaCl solution in bulk, gravitational or electro convection supplies ions from bulk toward the membrane surface through a boundary layer. In a boundary layer formed on an anion exchange membrane, the convection converts to migration and diffusion and carries an electric current. In a boundary layer formed on a cation exchange membrane, the convection converts to migration and carry an electric current. In a forced flowing solution in bulk, the boundary layer thickness is reduced and gravitation or electro convection is disappeared. An electric current is carried by diffusion and migration on the anion exchange membrane and by migration on the cation exchange membrane. Ion transport in a boundary layer on the cation exchange membrane immersed in a NaCl solution is more restricted comparing to the phenomenon on the anion exchange membrane. This is due to lower counter-ion mobility in the boundary layer and the restricted water dissociation reaction in the membrane. The water dissociation reaction is generated in an ion exchange membrane and promoted due to the increased forward reaction rate constant. However, the current efficiency for the water dissociation reaction is generally low. The intensity of the water dissociation is more suppressed in the strong acid cation exchange membrane comparing to the phenomenon in the strong base anion exchange membrane due to lower forward reaction rate constant in the cation exchange membrane. In the strong acid cation exchange membrane, the intensity of electric potential is larger than the values in the strong base anion exchange membrane. Accordingly, the stronger repulsive force is developed between ion exchange groups (SO ₃ ^? groups) and co-ions (OH^? ions) in the cation exchange membrane, and the water dissociation reaction is suppressed. In the strong base anion exchange membrane, the repulsive force between ion exchange groups (N⁺(CH₃)₃ groups) and co-ions (H⁺ ions) is relatively low, and the water dissociation reaction is not suppressed. Violent water dissociation is generated in metallic hydroxides precipitated on the desalting surface of the cation exchange membrane. This phenomenon is caused by a catalytic effect of metallic hydroxides. Such violent water dissociation does not occur on the anion exchange membrane.     

Anion sensitive voltammetry of fullerene C60 dissolved in 1,2-dichlorobenzene deposit in contact with aqueous electrolyte

Electroreduction of C₆₀ dissolved in hydrophobic solvent deposited on the electrode surface was studied. A microliter amount of C₆₀ and tetrahexylammonium perchlorate solution in 1,2-dichlorobenzene was deposited on basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrode and this electrode was immersed into an aqueous solution. The voltammetry shows three consecutive reduction–oxidation steps. The redox potential of first electroreduction step is sensitive on anion but not on cation present in the aqueous phase. This parameter also depends on electrolyte concentration in the aqueous and organic phase. It is proposed that electroreduction of C₆₀ is preceded by anion exchange and followed by anion expulsion to the aqueous phase. Similar anion effect on the redox potential is also observed for unsupported deposit indicating importance of initial partitioning of electrolyte into the organic phase.     

Electrochemical Generation of the 9,10-Antraquinone Radical Anions and Its Use in the Polystyrene Synthesis

The nature of active centers and anionic mechanism of the styrene polymerization during the 9,10-antraquinone electroreduction in the monomer-dimethylacetamide-alkali metal (or ammonium) perchlorate system is studied by voltammetry, ESR, IR- and UV-spectroscopy. It is shown that the potential of electrolysis depends on the supporting electrolyte composition; the association of the supporting electrolyte cation with the organic anion, in turn, affects the mechanism of the polymerization initiation and the macromolecule growth kinetics. The potential of generation of 9,10-antraquinone and the styrene conversion in catholyte increase with increasing radius of the supporting cation in the series Li⁺ <; Na⁺ <; K⁺ <; Rb⁺ <; Cs⁺ <; (C₂H₅)₄N⁺ <; (C₄H₉)₄N⁺.     

Redetermination of (6R,7S,9S,11S)‐(–)‐sparteinium monoperchlorate

The structure of the title compound, C₁₅H₂₇N₂⁺·ClO₄^?, consists of a monoprotonated sparteinium cation and a perchlorate anion. The two tertiary N atoms of the cation, one perchlorate O atom and a H atom form a bifurcated hydrogen bond, the four hydrogen‐bonding atoms being nearly in the same plane.     

Experimental study of the oxidation-reduction reaction on gold electrodes of the tungsten W(VI)/W(V) couple inside the dodecatungstosilicate anion

In this work we have proposed a qualitative mechanism for the first two steps of the reduction of the dodecatungstic anion on a gold electrode using measurements of faradaic impedance. Two types of supporting electrolyte were chosen—sulphate and perchlorate. The effect of competition with adsorbed SO₄^2? could be observed on the first reduction step. In both steps the charge transfer is related with homogeneous proton transfer reactions.     

Structure of aqueous electrolyte solutions estimated by near infrared spectroscopy and chemometric analysis of spectral data

The IR spectra of aqueous solutions of MClO₄, MNO₃, MCl (M = Li, Na), CsCl, and Na₂SO₄ were measured at frequencies of 5400–7500 cm^?1 over a wide concentration range from 0.12 M up to saturation concentrations at 25°C. Chemometric analysis of the experimental data matrix was performed. Regularity was detected in distribution of the IR spectra of the studied aqueous solutions on the the plot of analysis scores by the principal component method depending on the nature of the anion-water interaction. The influence of the nature of the salt anion and cation on the water structure in aqueous electrolyte solutions was demonstrated. The existence and interconversion of the spectral forms of water with changing electrolyte concentration in solution were revealed.     

Adsorption of ethyl xanthate anions on a silver electrode. An in-situ FTIR study

The adsorption of ethyl xanthatc ion (EX⁻) on a silver electrode in sodium sulphate, phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) and borate buffer (pH 9.2) solutions was studied in situ using Fourier transform IR reflection spectroscopy. The measurements were carried out using a thin-layer flow cell, which allows a continuous supply of the electroactive species into the thin layer. The voltammetric behaviour of the silver electrode in EX⁻-containing solution is characterized by the formation of silver ethyl xanthate (AgEX), which is preceded by a prewave due to chemisorption of ethyl xanthate. An IR band at 1220 cm ⁻¹, assigned to chemisorbed ethyl xanthate, was observed in spectra obtained in the chemisorption region. All IR bands characteristic of AgEX were observed in spectra of a silver electrode surface covered by a few monolayers of AgEX. The in-situ IR measurements also showed that the adsorption of EX⁻ starts directly on the positive side of the potential of zero charge of silver (−0.7 V/SHE).     

Dendrite‐Free Epitaxial Growth of Lithium Metal during Charging in Li–O2 Batteries

Lithium (Li) dendrite formation is one of the major hurdles limiting the development of Li‐metal batteries, including Li‐O₂ batteries. Herein, we report the first observation of the dendrite‐free epitaxial growth of a Li metal up to 10‐μm thick during charging (plating) in the LiBr‐LiNO₃ dual anion electrolyte under O₂ atmosphere. This phenomenon is due to the formation of an ultrathin and homogeneous Li₂O‐rich solid‐electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer in the preceding discharge (stripping) process, where the corrosive nature of Br^? seems to give rise to remove the original incompact passivation layer and NO₃^? oxidizes (passivates) the freshly formed Li surface to prevent further reactions with the electrolyte. Such reactions keep the SEI thin (<100 nm) and facilitates the electropolishing effect and gets ready for the epitaxial electroplating of Li in the following charge process.     

Tetrabutylammonium cation expulsion versus perchlorate electrolyte anion uptake in the electrochemical oxidation of microcrystals of [(C4H9)4N][Cr(CO)5I] mechanically attached to a gold electrode: a voltammetric and quartz crystal microbalance study

The electrochemistry of microcrystals of [(C₄H₉)₄N][Cr(CO)₅I] attached to a gold electrode which is placed in aqueous (lithium or tetrabutylammonium perchlorate) electrolyte media has been studied in detail by chronoamperometric, voltammetric and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (ECQCM) techniques. Whilst chronoamperometric and voltammetric measurements show that the expected one-electron oxidation of microcrystalline [Cr(CO)₅I]⁻ solid to Cr(CO)₅I occurs at the solid-electrode-solvent (electrolyte) interface, the ECQCM measurements reveal that charge neutralization does not occur exclusively via the expected ejection of the tetrabutylammonium cation. Rather, uptake of ClO₄ ⁻ occurs under conditions where the solubility of sparingly soluble [(C₄H₉)₄N]ClO₄ is exceeded. This is the first time that uptake of an anion rather than loss of a cation has been detected in association with an oxidation during electrochemical studies of microcrystals attached to electrode surfaces. It is therefore now emerging that analogous charge neutralization processes to those encounted in voltammetric studies on conducting polymers are available in voltammetric studies of microcrystals attached to electrodes which are placed in contact with solvent (electrolyte) media. In the presence of LiClO₄ as the electrolyte, an ion exchange process occurs leading to formation of Li[Cr(CO)₅I] . X H₂O which then slowly dissolves in water at a rate that is strongly influenced by the electrolyte concentration, the relatively hydrophobic nature of the [(C₄H₉)₄N]⁺ cation and the poor solubility of [(C₄H₉)₄N]ClO₄. Received: 4 February 1997 / Accepted: 4 March 1997     

CD Stretching Modes are Sensitive to the Microenvironment in Ionic Liquids

Knowledge of the structure of the electrical double layer in ionic liquids (IL) is crucial for their applications in electrochemical technologies. We report the synthesis and applicability of an imidazolium-based amphiphilic ionic liquid with a perdeuterated alkyl chain for studies of electric potential-dependent rearrangements, and changes in the microenvironment in a monolayer on a Au(111) surface. Electrochemical measurements show two states of the organization of ions on the electrode surface. In situ IR spectroscopy shows that the alkyl chains in imidazolium cations change their orientation depending on the adsorption state. The methylene-d₂ stretching modes in the perdeuterated IL display a reversible, potential-dependent appearance of a new band. The presence of this mode also depends on the anion in the IL. Supported by quantum chemical calculations, this new mode is assigned to a second ν_as(CD₂) band in alkyl-chain fragments embedded in a polar environment of the anions/solvent present in the vicinity of the imidazolium cation and electrode. It is a measure of the potential-dependent segregation between polar and nonpolar environments in the layers of an IL closest to the electrode.     

Water transference through nickel hydroxide precipitate membrane

The transference of water that results from ion migration through the nickel hydroxide precipitate membrane was studied in chloride, perchlorate, nitrate, and sulphate solutions to estimate the transference number of water and the co-ion transport. In the systems of univalent anions, the moles of water transported per mole of electrons in 0.1 N solutions is almost identical to the hydration number of each anion. This water flow decreases gradually as the concentration of external solution increases, because of increase in the co-ion (cation) transport with increasing concentration of the solution. In the system of sulphate solutions the co-ion transport is remarkable, the transport number of Na⁺ ions being 0.03 in 0.01 N, 0.27 in 0.10 N, and 0.50 in 0.5 N Na₂SO₄ solution. This large co-ion transport in Na₂SO₄ solution is attributed to the partical replacement of hydroxyl groups on the membrane by SO^2?₄ ions, which then acts as a negative fixed charge. The order of the selectivity for co-ion transport is K⁺ > Na⁺ > Li⁺ > Ni²⁺ ? Mg²⁺ in sulphate solutions and also in chloride solutions, although the transport number of the cations is much smaller in chloride solution than in sulphate solution.     

Anion induced adsorption of Cd(II) from acetonitrile solutions

Solutions of Cd(II) in acetonitrile show no adsorption on mercury electrodes with sodium perchlorate as supporting electrolyte but strong adsorption of Cd(II) is produced by the addition of thiocyanate anion. The stoichiometry of the adsorbed species was shown to be Cd(NCS)₂ by means of chronocoulometric measurement of the quantities of both Cd(II) and NCS^? on the surface. The surface appears to reach a saturation coverage corresponding to ca. two monolayers of a tightly packed film. Speculations on the forces driving the adsorption are offered and similarities with previous results obtained in aqueous solutions are pointed out.     

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.     

Polarization energies,transport gap and charge transfer states of organic molecular crystals

A self-consistent calculation of electronic polarization in organic molecular crystals and thin films is presented in terms of charge redistribution in nonoverlapping molecules in a lattice. The polarization energies P₊ and P₋ of a molecular cation and anion are found for anthracene and perelynetetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA), together with binding energies of ion pairs and transport gaps of PTCDA films on metallic substrates. The 500 meV variation of P₊+P₋ with film thickness agrees with experiment, as do calculated dielectric tensors. Comparisons are made to submolecular calculations in crystals.     

Electrical double layer at the mercury-nitromethane solution interface

The differential capacity and the surface charge density curves as a function of the electrode potential for mercury/electrolyte solution in nitromethane interface are presented. For all the systems studied the capacity hump at the anodic potential region is observed. The height and the location of the hump considerably depends on the kind of anion. As a test of specific adsorption of ions in the systems studied the Esin-Markov effect was examined. The results indicated that anions appear to be specifically adsorbed from nitromethane in the order PF₆^?<ClO₄^?<Cl^?<SCN^?.     

Conductivity enhancement mechanism of the poly(ethylene oxide)/modified‐clay/LiClO4 systems

This study demonstrates that adding clay that was organically modified by dimethyldioctadecylammonium chloride (DDAC) and d2000 surfactants increases the ionic conductivity of polymeric electrolyte. A.C. impedance, differential scanning calorimetric (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) studies revealed that the silicate layers strongly interact with the dopant salt lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄) within a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/clay/LiClO₄ system. DSC characterization verified that the addition of a small amount of the organic clay reduces the glass‐transition temperature of PEO as a result of the interaction between the negative charge in the clay and the lithium cation. Additionally, the strength of such a specific interaction depends on the extent of PEO intercalation. With respect to the interaction between the silicate layer and the lithium cation, three types of complexes are assumed. In complex I, lithium cation is distributed within the PEO phase. In complex II, lithium cation resides in an PEO/exfoliated‐clay environment. In complex III, the lithium cation is located in PEO/agglomerated‐clay domains. More clay favors complex III over complexes II and I, reducing the interaction between the silicate layers and the lithium cations because of strong self‐aggregation among the silicate layers. Notably, the (PEO)₈LiClO₄/DDAC‐modified clay (DDAC‐mClay) composition can form a nanocomposite electrolyte with high ionic conductivity (8 × 10^?5 S/cm) at room temperature. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 1342–1353, 2002     

The ESR. Spectrum of the Radical Anion of 1,1,2,2,9,9,10,10-Octafluoro [2.2]paracyclophane

The radical anion of 1,1,2.2,9,9,10, 10-octafluoro[2.2]paracyclophane ( 1 ) has been generated by electrolytic reduction of 1 in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (tetrabutylammonium perchlorate as the supporting salt). The hyperfine coupling constants of the eight ¹⁹F-nuclei and the eight protons, a_f = 3.35 and a_H ≈ 0.10 mT, are qualitatively reproduced by INDO. calculations. According to these calculations, the singly occupied orbital of 1 ^? can be represented by an A_g-combination of two ‘symmetric’ benzene LUMO's, with a substantial transfer of spin population into the 2s-AO's of the F-atoms. Line-width alternation in the ESR. spectrum of 1 ^? indicates an ion pairing of the radical anion with its counter-ion Bu₄N^?. The energy barrier to the migration of the cation between two equivalent sites at the radical anion is determined as 14±2 kJ/mol.     

Electrolytic molybdenum sulfides for thin-layer lithium power sources

The active molybdenum sulfide compound Mo₂S₃, which should be considered as a cathode material for thin-layer rechargeable power source, has been produced by electrolysis. Using impedance spectroscopy and potential relaxation method after current interruption, the kinetic parameters of lithium intercalation in electrolytic Mo₂S₃ have been obtained. Activation energy of Li⁺ migration in electrolyte (13.76 kJ/mol), charge transfer through the Mo₂S₃ electrode/electrolyte interface (38.8 kJ/mol), and Li⁺ diffusion in a solid phase (57.3 kJ/mol) have also been established. Taking into account the coefficient data of charge mass transfer in a solid phase and the reaction rate coefficient of charge transfer through the interface electrode/electrolyte within the temperature range 20–50 °C, the stage of Li⁺ transfer in a solid phase has been determined as a limiting stage for lithium intercalation in electrolytic molybdenum sulfide Mo₂S₃.     

Electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance study of perchlorate and perrhenate anion adsorption on polycrystalline gold electrode

The electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) was used to study adsorption/desorption of perchlorate and perrhenate ions on a bare polycrystalline gold electrode. An electrode mass change in perrhenate solution was about double that of perchlorate. The equivalent mass of adsorbed anions (about 260 and 120 g F⁻¹ respectively) suggests adsorption of perchlorate and perrhenate anions on a polycrystalline gold electrode in the double-layer region. Water molecules are partially expelled from the gold surface during the initial stages of anion adsorption. The water loss is about three times larger for perrhenate compared to perchlorate due to the bigger ionic radius (volume) of the perrhenate anion.     

Ionic Liquid‐Based Routes to Conversion or Reuse of Recycled Ammonium Perchlorate

New, potentially green, and efficient synthetic routes for the remediation and/or re‐use of perchlorate‐based energetic materials have been developed. Four simple organic imidazolium‐ and phosphonium‐based perchlorate salts/ionic liquids have been synthesized by simple, inexpensive, and nonhazardous methods, using ammonium perchlorate as the perchlorate source. By appropriate choice of the cation, perchlorate can be incorporated into an ionic liquid which serves as its own electrolyte for the electrochemical reduction of the perchlorate anion, allowing for the regeneration of the chloride‐based parent ionic liquid. The electrochemical degradation of the hazardous perchlorate ion and its conversion to harmless chloride during electrolysis was studied using IR and ³⁵Cl NMR spectroscopies.