Electrochemical behaviour of the LiF-(CaF2)-La2O3 system

The electrochemical behaviour of the LiF-La₂O₃ and LiF-CaF₂-La₂O₃ systems was investigated by means of cyclic voltammetry. Several types of working electrodes (spectrographic pure graphite, W, Mo, Ni, Cu) were used. It was found that chemical reactions take place in the system during the dissolution of lanthanum oxide. The reduction of lithium cations occurred at the most positive potential from the species formed in the melt on ‘inert’ cathodes (W, Mo). The reactive cathodes (Cu, Ni) allowed the lanthanum deposition with depolarisation.     

Electrochemical polymerization of nano-micro sheaf/wire conducting polymer poly[Ni(salen)] for electrochemical energy storage system

<正>The polymer of complex[Ni(salen)],(N,N'-ethylenebis(salicylideneaminato) nickel(H)),was prepared on graphite electrode by the route of linear sweep potential method.The nano-micro sheaf/wire structures of poly[Ni(salen)]have been obtained by adjusting the polymerization sweep rate of 5,20 and 40 mV·s~(-1).The polymer prepared at 20 mV·s~(-1) had nanoscaled wire structure of ca.100 nm in diameter.The good electrochemical reversibility of poly[Ni(salen)]was investigated by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic test in 1.0 mol/L Et_3MeNBF_4/acetonitrile solution.The initial specific gravimetric capacitance of poly[Ni(salen)]at the current density of 0.1 mA·cm~(-2) reached 270.2 F·g~(-1),however,the cycle stability needs to be improved.     

Electrolysis of ammonia for hydrogen production catalyzed by Pt and Pt-Ir deposited on nickel foam

Electrolysis of ammonia in alkaline electrolyte solution was applied for the production of hydrogen. Both Pt-loaded Ni foam and Pt-Ir loaded Ni foam electrodes were prepared by electrodeposition and served as anode and cathode in ammonia electrolytic cell, respectively. The electrochemical behaviors of ammonia in KOH solution were individually investigated via cyclic voltammetry on three electrodes, i.e. bare Ni foam electrode, Pt-loaded Ni foam electrode and Pt-Ir loaded Ni foam electrode. The morphology and composition of the prepared Ni foam electrode were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Effects of the concentration of electrolyte solution and temperature of electrolytic cell on the electrolysis reaction were examined in order to enhance the efficiency of ammonia electrolysis. The competition of ammonia electrolysis and water electrolysis in the same alkaline solution was firstly proposed to explain the changes of cell voltage with the electrolysis proceeding. At varying current densities, different cell voltages could be obtained from galvanostatic curves. The low cell voltage of 0.58 V, which is less than the practical electrolysis voltage of water (1.6 V), can be obtained at a current density of 2.5 mA/cm². Based on some experimental parameters, such as the applied current, the resulting cell voltage and output of hydrogen gas, the power consumption per gram of H₂ produced can be estimated.     

Spin-adduct of the P4 ·− radical anion during the electrochemical reduction of white phosphorus

The radical anion P₄·⁻ was detected and identified by the ESR method as a spin-adduct with nitrone during the electrochemical reduction of white phosphorus in the presence of a spin trap, viz., α-phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone, in a special electrolysis cell with a helical platinum working electrode in the potentiostatic mode. The character of the behavior of P₄·⁻ and the spin trap during electrochemical reduction was monitored by cyclic voltammetry directly in the electrolysis cell, and the spin-adduct formed was detected by ESR.     

MWCNTs/metal (Ni, Co, Fe) oxide nanocomposite as potential material for supercapacitors application in acidic and neutral media

Supercapacitive properties of synthesised metal oxides nanoparticles (MO where M = Ni, Co, Fe) integrated with multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) on basal plane pyrolytic graphite electrode (BPPGE) were investigated. Successful modification of the electrode with the MWCNT-MO nanocomposite was confirmed with spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Supercapacitive properties of the modified electrodes in sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄) and sodium sulphate (Na₂SO₄) electrolytes were investigated using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic constant current charge–discharge (CD) techniques. The specific capacitance values followed similar trend with that of the cyclic voltammetry and the electrochemical impedance experiments and are slightly lower than values obtained using the galvanostatic charge–discharge cycling. MWCNT-NiO-based electrode gave best specific capacitance of 433.8 mF?cm^?2 (ca 2,119 F?g^?1) in H₂SO₄. The electrode exhibited high electrochemical reproducibility with no significant changes over 1,000 cyclic voltammetry cycles.     

Electrochemical Behaviour of Magnesium(II) on Ni Electrode inLiCl-KCl Eutectic

The electrochemical behaviour of magnesium(II) and the formation mechanism of Mg-Ni alloys on Ni electrode were studied in LiCl-KCl eutectic using various electrochemical techniques. Cyclic voltammogram and square-wave voltammogram revealed that under-potential deposition of magnesium occurred on Ni electrode because Mg-Ni alloy compounds were formed. The thermodynamic properties of the Mg-Ni intermetallics, Mg₂Ni and MgNi₂, were determined using open circuit chronopotentiometry in the temperature range of 818―893 K. Moreover, the Mg-Ni alloys were produced by potentiostatic and galvanostatic electrolysis under different conditions and characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy(SEM) equipped with energy dispersive spectrometry(EDS) and X-ray diffraction(XRD). The experimental results indicate that Mg-Ni intermetallic compounds can be selectively produced by potentiostatic electrolysis.     

在LiCl-KCl-ZnCl2熔盐体系中电化学共还原提取钕

针对镧系元素钕,本文通过循环伏安、开路计时电位、方波伏安等方法研究了773 K时Nd（Ⅲ）在钼电极上在LiCl-KCl-ZnCl₂熔盐体系中的电化学行为及Zn-Nd合金的形成过程. 结果表明：在LiCl-KCl-ZnCl₂熔盐中,Nd（Ⅲ）在预先沉积的Zn 阴极上欠电位沉积形成三种Zn-Nd金属间化合物. 基于电化学行为研究,采用恒电位电解提取Nd并用方波伏安曲线测量来检测Nd（Ⅲ）离子浓度的变化,然后通过电解前后Nd（Ⅲ）离子浓度变化评估了Nd的电解提取效率. 实验结果表明：-1.84 V恒电位电解进行50 h后,Nd（Ⅲ）离子浓度接近于零,提取效率为99.67%. 在973 K时通过恒电流电解提取Nd并获得了Zn-Nd合金,通过X射线衍射（XRD）和扫描电子显微镜（SEM）附带能量散射谱（EDS）对合金的相组成和微观形貌进行了分析. XRD分析表明在Zn-Nd合金中存在Nd₂Zn₁₇,LiZn 和Zn相,EDS能谱分析表明Nd在合金中的原子分数高达14.99%.     

Electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose on Ni and NiCu alloy modified glassy carbon electrode

Nickel and nickel–copper alloy modified glassy carbon electrodes (GC/Ni and GC/NiCu) prepared by galvanostatic deposition were examined for their redox processes and electro-catalytic activities towards the oxidation of glucose in alkaline solutions. The methods of cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CA) were employed. The cyclic voltammogram of NiCu alloy demonstrates the formation of β/β crystallographic forms of the nickel oxyhydroxide under prolonged repetitive potential cycling in alkaline solution. It is also observed that the overpotential for O₂ evolution increases for NiCu alloy modified electrode. In CV studies, NiCu alloy modified electrode yields significantly higher activity for glucose oxidation compared to Ni. The oxidation of glucose was concluded to be catalyzed through mediated electron transfer across the nickel hydroxide layer comprising of nickel ions of various valence states. The anodic peak currents show linear dependency with the square root of scan rate. This behavior is the characteristic of a diffusion-controlled process. Under the CA regime, the reaction followed a Cottrellian behavior, and the diffusion coefficient of glucose was found to be 1 × 10⁻⁵ cm² s⁻¹, in agreement with diffusion coefficient obtained in CV studies.     

Achieving High Efficiency and Eliminating Degradation in Solid Oxide Electrochemical Cells Using High Oxygen‐Capacity Perovskite

Recently, there have been efforts to use clean and renewable energy because of finite fossil fuels and environmental problems. Owing to the site‐specific and weather‐dependent characteristics of the renewable energy supply, solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) have received considerable attention to store energy as hydrogen. Conventional SOECs use Ni‐YSZ (yttria‐stabilized zirconia) and LSM (strontium‐doped lanthanum manganites)‐YSZ as electrodes. These electrodes, however, suffer from redox‐instability and coarsening of the Ni electrode along with delamination of the LSM electrode during steam electrolysis. In this study, we successfully design and fabricate highly efficient SOECs using layered perovskites, PrBaMn₂O_5+δ (PBM) and PrBa_0.5Sr_0.5Co_1.5Fe_0.5O_5+δ (PBSCF50), as both electrodes for the first time. The SOEC with layered perovskites as both‐side electrodes shows outstanding performance, reversible cycling, and remarkable stability over 600 hours.     

Highly Active Nickel Nanoparticles Supported on TiO2 Nanotube Electrodes for Methanol Electrooxidation

Nickel nanoparticles/TiO₂ nanotubes/Ti electrodes were prepared by galvanic deposition of nickel nanoparticles on the TiO₂ nanotubes layer on titanium substrates. Titanium oxide nanotubes were fabricated by anodizing titanium foil in a DMSO fluoride‐containing electrolyte. The morphology and surface characteristics of titanium dioxide nanotubes and Ni/TiO₂/Ti electrodes were investigated using scanning electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, respectively. The results indicated that nickel nanoparticles were homogeneously deposited on the surface of TiO₂ nanotubes. The electrocatalytic behaviour of nickel nanoparticles/TiO₂/Ti electrodes for the methanol electrooxidation was studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry and chronoamperometry methods. The results showed that Ni/TiO₂/Ti electrodes exhibit a considerably higher electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of methanol.     

Nickel foam-based composite electrodes for electrooxidation of methanol

Nickel foam and five nickel foam-based composite electrodes were prepared for being used as anode materials for the electrooxidation of methanol in KOH solution containing 0.1 and 1.0 M of methanol. The layered electrodes composed of nickel foam, platinum nanoparticles, polyaniline (PANI) and/or porous carbon (C) prepared in various assemblies. As shown by SEM analysis, depending on the preparation conditions, the electrodes of different morphologies were obtained. Using the cyclic voltammetry method, the oxidation of methanol on nickel foam electrode was observed in the potential range 0.4 V ↔ 0.7 V, where the Ni(OH)₂/NiOOH transformation occurred. The presence of Pt particles in electrode gave rise to the increase in electrocatalytic activity in this potential range. For electrodes containing dispersed platinum catalyst (Ni/Pt, Ni/PANI/Pt and Ni/C/Pt), the oxidation of methanol was noted also in the potential range −0.5 V ↔ 0.1 V. The electrocatalytic activities of the examined electrodes toward methanol oxidation at low potentials were in order Ni/Pt > Ni/C/Pt > Ni/PANI/Pt, whereas at high potentials in order Ni/PANI/Pt > Ni/Pt> Ni/C/Pt > Ni. Among the examined electrodes, the most resistant to cyclic poisoning appeared to be the Ni/C/Pt electrode. Presented at the 4Th Baltic Conference on Electrochemistry, Greifswald, March 13–16, 2005     

Synthesis of catalytic filamentous carbon on a nickel/graphite catalyst and a study of the resulting carbon-carbon composite materials in microbial fuel cells

The carbon-carbon composite materials obtained via the synthesis of catalytic filamentous carbon (CFC) on a Ni/graphite supported catalyst in the process of the pyrolysis of C₃–C₄ alkanes in the presence of hydrogen were systematically studied. The effects of the following conditions on the catalytic activity expressed as the yield of carbon (g CFC)/(g Ni) and on the character of CFC synthesis on graphite rods were studied: procedures for supporting Ni(II) compounds (impregnation and homogeneous precipitation), the concentrations of impregnating compouds (nickel nitrate, urea, and ethyl alcohol) in solution, graphite treatment (oxidation) conditions before supporting Ni(II) compounds, and the pyrolysis temperature of C₃–C₄ alkanes in the range of 400–600°C. Optimum conditions for preparing CFC/graphite composite materials, which are promising for use as electrodes in microbial fuel cells (MFCs), were chosen. The electrochemical characteristics of an MFC designed with the use of a CFC/graphite electrode (anode) and Gluconobacter oxydans glycerol-oxidizing bacteria were studied. The morphology of the surfaces of graphite, synthesized CFC, and also bacterial cells adhered to the anode was studied by scanning electron microscopy.     

LiCl-KCl-LaCl3熔盐体系中La(III)的电化学行为

在773 K条件下,研究了La（III）在LiCl-KCl熔盐中W和Ni电极上的电化学行为。La（III）还原反应是一步三电子转移的准可逆反应;通过在Ni电极上直接电沉积La的方法可以获得La-Ni金属间化合物;恒电位电解可以获得含三种金属间化合物（LaNi₅、La₇Ni₁₆和La₂Ni₃）的La-Ni合金层,并且通过X射线衍射仪（XRD）和扫描电镜-能谱分析仪（SEM-EDS）确定物相并表征结构。采用开路计时电位法估算了LaNi₅金属间化合物的标准生成吉布斯自由能。揭示了恒电位电解方法是制备La-Ni镀层合金以及提取熔盐中La的有效方法。     

在LiCl-KCl-ZnCl_2熔盐体系中电化学共还原提取钕

针对镧系元素钕,本文通过循环伏安、开路计时电位、方波伏安等方法研究了773 K时Nd(III)在钼电极上在LiCl-KCl-ZnCl2熔盐体系中的电化学行为及Zn-Nd合金的形成过程.结果表明:在LiCl-KCl-ZnCl2熔盐中,Nd(III)在预先沉积的Zn阴极上欠电位沉积形成三种Zn-Nd金属间化合物.基于电化学行为研究,采用恒电位电解提取Nd并用方波伏安曲线测量来检测Nd(III)离子浓度的变化,然后通过电解前后Nd(III)离子浓度变化评估了Nd的电解提取效率.实验结果表明:-1.84 V恒电位电解进行50 h后,Nd(III)离子浓度接近于零,提取效率为99.67%.在973 K时通过恒电流电解提取Nd并获得了Zn-Nd合金,通过X射线衍射(XRD)和扫描电子显微镜(SEM)附带能量散射谱(EDS)对合金的相组成和微观形貌进行了分析.XRD分析表明在Zn-Nd合金中存在Nd2Zn17,LiZn和Zn相,EDS能谱分析表明Nd在合金中的原子分数高达14.99%.     

LiCl-KCl熔盐体系中镨(Ⅲ)在镍电极上的电化学行为

采用循环伏安、 方波伏安、 计时电位和开路计时电位等电化学方法研究了Pr(Ⅲ)离子在共晶LiCl-KCl熔盐中Ni电极上的电化学行为及Pr-Ni合金化机理. 结果表明, Pr(Ⅲ)离子的电化学还原过程为三电子转移的一步反应. 与惰性Mo电极上的循环伏安曲线相比, Pr(Ⅲ) 离子在活性Ni电极的循环伏安曲线上还出现了4对氧化还原峰, 表明Pr(Ⅲ)离子在Ni电极上发生欠电位沉积, 是由于生成不同的Pr-Ni金属间化合物. 采用X射线衍射仪和扫描电子显微镜-能谱仪等对恒电位电解的产物进行了表征. 结果表明, 在不同电位下进行恒电位电解时, 每个电位上只得到一种Pr-Ni金属间化合物, 分别为PrNi₂, PrNi₃, Pr₂Ni₇和PrNi₅.     

Electrode process of Nd-Fe alloy formed on iron electrode in molten chlorides

The cyclic voltammetry, convolution voltammetry and chronopotentiometry were used to study the electrode process of Nd (III) reduced on iron electrode in molten NaCl-KCl-NdCl₃ from 700 to 850°C. The electrodeposited products were analysed by X-ray diffraction. The results indicate that the intermetallic compound Fe₂Nd forms first, and then the metallic neodymium deposits when Nd (III) is reduced on iron electrode. The Nd-Fe alloys rich in neodymium can be obtained by electrolysis with iron cathode in molten chlorides. The Nd-Fe alloys are composed of Fe₂Nd and Nd.     

Electropolymerization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-[RuCl<Subscript>2</Subscript>(vpy)<Subscript>4</Subscript>] complex—EQCM and Raman studies

The electropolymerization of trans-[RuCl₂(vpy)₄] (vpy=4-vinylpyridine) on Au or Pt electrodes was studied by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) technique, and Raman spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry of the monomer at a microelectrode shows the typical Ru(III/II) and Ru(IV/III) waves, together with the vinyl reduction waves at −1.5 and −2.45 V and adsorption wave at −0.8 V. Electrodeposition on EQCM technique performed under potential cycling between −0.9 and −2.0 V revealed that the polymerization proceeded well in advance of the vinyl reduction waves. At potentials more positive than −0.9 V, soluble oligomers were deposited irreversibly on the electrode during the oxidative sweep. The film also showed reversible mass changes due to the oxidation and accompanying ingress of charge-balancing anions and solvent into the film. In contrast, potentiostatic growth of the polymer at −1.6 V was slower because the oligomeric material was lost completely from the electrode. Unreacted vinyl groups were detected by in situ Raman spectroscopy for films grown at −0.7, −0.9, and −1.6 V but were absent when the polymerization was carried out at −2.9 V vs Ag/Ag⁺.     

Stability of LaNiO3 gas diffusion oxygen electrodes

In this work LaNiO₃ perovskite-type oxide, prepared by a self-combustion method, was optimized for activity and stability as an anode material for water electrolysis. A full electrochemical study was conducted in order to kinetically characterize electrodes prepared using carbon paper as a base for porous gas-diffusion electrodes in alkaline media, regarding water oxidation and oxygen reduction reactions at room temperature. An electrode stability study was performed by potential cycling and at constant current density, using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to check on stability after cycling with complementary scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM/EDS) analysis of fresh and degraded electrodes. Comparison was made using nickel foam as a support for LaNiO₃ deposition. Carbon instability in the potential region of interest contrasted with the lower contact resistance between the oxide and support of the Ni foam. Higher metal oxide loadings and dimensional stability were also possible.     

Preparation and electrochemical performance of activated carbon thin films with polyethylene oxide-salt addition for electrochemical capacitor applications

The effect of polymer–salt addition in the activated carbon electrode for electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC) has been investigated. A series of composite thin film electrode consisting of activated carbon, carbon black, polytetrafluoroethylene and polymer–salt complex (polyethyleneoxide–LiClO₄) with an appropriate weight ratio were prepared and examined their performance for EDLCs using 1 mol L⁻¹ LiClO₄ in ethylene carbonate:diethylcarbonate electrolyte solution. The electrochemical capacitance performances of these electrodes with different compositions were characterized by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge–discharge cycling, and AC impedance measurements. By comparison, the best results were obtained with a composite electrode rich in polymer–salt additive (132 F g⁻¹ at 100 mA g⁻¹ of galvanostatic experiment). In general, the polymer–salt-containing electrode had shown improved performance over activated carbon electrodes without polymer–salt at high current density.     

The electrocatalytic reactions of adenine, guanine, H2O, H2O2, N2H4, and l -cysteine catalyzed by poly(Ni(4-TMPyP)) film-modified electrodes

Electrochemical preparation of poly(nickel tetrakis(N-methyl-4-pyridyl)porphyrin) tetratosylate (poly-Ni(4-TMPyP)) produces stable and electrochemically active films in strong and weak basic aqueous solutions. These films were produced on glassy carbon and gold electrodes. The electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance and cyclic voltammetry were used to study the in situ growth of poly(Ni(4-TMPyP)) films. The electrochemical properties of poly(Ni(4-TMPyP)) films indicate that the redox process was confined in to the immobilized film. The electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance results showed an ion exchange reaction for the redox couple. The polymer films showed one new redox couple when transferred to strong and weak basic aqueous solutions and the formal potential was found to be pH dependent. The electrocatalytic oxidation of H₂O by a nickel tetrakis(N-methyl-4-pyridyl)porphyrin film-modified electrode was also performed. The mechanism of oxygen evolution was determined by cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and rotating ring disc electrode methods. The oxygen evolution was determined by a bicatalyst system using hemoglobin, and iron tetrakis (N-methyl-2-pyridyl)porphyrin as catalyst to detect the oxygen by electrocatalytic reduction. The electrocatalytic oxidations of adenine, guanine, H₂O₂, N₂H₄, NH₂OH, and l-cysteine by the film-modified electrode obtained from water-soluble nickel porphyrin were also investigated.