Equilibrium potentials and charge transport of an I-/I3- redox couple in an ionic liquid

Equilibrium potentials and charge transport of an I-/I3- redox couple in an ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, are revealed by using a microelectrode technique, where the anomaly of the charge transport at high concentrations of the redox couple with comparable [I-] and [I3-] can be attributed to the exchange reaction of I- + I3- --> I3- + I-.     

Understanding the role of the sulfide redox couple (S2-/S(n)2-) in quantum dot-sensitized solar cells

The presence of sulfide/polysulfide redox couple is crucial in achieving stability of metal chalcogenide (e.g., CdS and CdSe)-based quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSC). However, the interfacial charge transfer processes play a pivotal role in dictating the net photoconversion efficiency. We present here kinetics of hole transfer, characterization of the intermediates involved in the hole oxidation of sulfide ion, and the back electron transfer between sulfide radical and electrons injected into TiO(2) nanoparticles. The kinetic rate constant (10(7)-10(9) s(-1)) for the hole transfer obtained from the emission lifetime measurements suggests slow hole scavenging from CdSe by S(2-) is one of the limiting factors in attaining high overall efficiency. The presence of the oxidized couple, by addition of S or Se to the electrolyte, increases the photocurrent, but it also enhances the rate of back electron transfer.     

Mn3+/Mn2+氧化还原体系的旋转圆盘电极法性能

氧化还原液流电池的独特性能受到关注[1～4]。本文综合运用循环伏安法,旋转圆盘电极法研究锰离子浓度较高(0 25～0 35mol·L-1、转速范围较宽(400～4200rpm)、同时考虑过电位的条件下Mn(Ⅲ)/Mn(Ⅱ)电对在RDE铂盘电极上的电极过程动力学并确定有关的动力学参数,了解其影响因素,为该电对作为氧化还原液流电池正极活性材料提供动力学依据。1　实验部分铂电极使用前在铬酸洗液中浸10min,水冲洗干净,蒸馏水淋洗,然后在6 3mol·L-1H2SO4中超声清洗10min,再用CHI660电化学工作站(美国CH仪器公司)控制,以0 05V/s的扫速在-1 0～1 2V之间扫…     

Electrokinetics of the amphifunctional metal/electrolyte solution interface in the presence of a redox couple

Double layers (DL) at amphifunctionally electrified interfaces, such as that of an oxidized metal in an aqueous electrolyte solution, arise from coupling between ionic and electronic surface-charging processes. The electronic component enters the double-layer formation in the well-known situation where a potential is externally applied. In that case, the DL is fully or partly polarized depending on the possibility of interfacial electron transfer, that is, a faradaic process. This paper reports on the conjunction of the chemical/electrochemical processes at the interface in the case where the solution contains a redox-active couple. This makes it possible to polarize/depolarize a DL without invoking any external circuit. Streaming potential data obtained for the gold/(Fe(CN)6(3-)/Fe(CN)6(4-), KNO3) electrolyte interface are analyzed in terms of a recently developed theory which takes into account reversible bipolar faradaic depolarization, the inherent nonlinearity of the lateral field, and the effects of flow on the rate of the faradaic reactions. It appears that the theory largely overestimates the bipolar currents, leading to physically unrealistic zeta-potentials. A careful analysis of monopolar voltammetric data reveals quasi-reversible behavior of the redox couple under the typical convective conditions and electrolyte compositions met in electrokinetic experiments. Inclusion of reduced reversibility (the extent of which is position-dependent under the streaming-potential measurement conditions) leads to a consistent set of zeta-potentials which compare well to the values for the background electrolyte.     

The standard redox potential of the phenyl radical/anion couple

The voltammogram of aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates in acetonitrile (ACN), at low concentration, shows a first one-electron wave followed at a more negative potential by a small second wave; this last one corresponds to the reduction of the radical formed at the level of the first wave. Simulation of the voltammogram permits one to determine the standard redox potential of the radical/anion couple Eo(Ph./Ph-) = 0.05 V/SCE and the reduction mechanism of the diazonium cation. An electron transfer concerted with the cleavage of the C-N bond furnishes the aryl radical; this radical undergoes two competitive reactions: reduction at the electrode and H-atom transfer.     

Square-wave voltammetry of dissolved redox couple

A theory is developed of square-wave voltammetry of the system in which both the reactant and the product of a simple electrode reaction are initially present in the electrolytic solution. A net response of fast and reversible electrode reaction depends on the sum of concentrations of reactant and product. Under this condition the ratio of maxima and minima of the components of net response can be used for the calculation of the ratio of concentrations of reactant and product. If the electrode reaction is kinetically controlled, the net response may split in two peaks. The potentials of these peaks can be used for the determination of transfer coefficients.     

Redox cationic polymerization: The diaryliodonium salt/ascorbate redox couple

Strong Brønsted acids are produced on reduction of diaryliodonium salts containing anions of the type BF₄^?, AsF₆^?, PF₆^?, SbF₆^? by ascorbic acid and its derivatives in the presence of catalytic amounts of copper salts. The cationic polymerizations of cyclohexene oxide, tetrahydrofuran, and s-trioxane were studied using the diaryliodonium salt/ascorbate redox couple.     

Redox-initiated cationic polymerization: The diaryliodonium salt/benzoin redox couple

A new redox couple based on the copper-catalyzed reduction of diaryliodonium salts with benzoins has been used to initiate cationic polymerizations of cyclic ethers and esters. A proposed mechanism for initiation by this redox couple is based on its stoichiometry and on the nature of the products. It was concluded that initiation of polymerization occurs both by direct arylation of the monomer and by protonation by strong Brønsted acids. The polymerization of several typical cationically polymerizable monomers using this new redox initiator were studied.     

Faradaic alternating current response of the adsorbed redox couple

A simple theoretical model to explain the a.c. voltammetry of the adsorbed reactant and product is developed. The theory indicates that maximum a.c. responses of the reversible redox reactions appear out of phase, whilst for the totally irreversible reaction, response appears in phase with the excitation signal. Theoretical predictions are compared with a.c. voltammograms of berberine.     

Role of the triiodide/iodide redox couple in dye regeneration in p-type dye-sensitized solar cells

A series of perylene dyes with different optical and electronic properties have been used as photosensitizers in NiO-based p-type dye-sensitized solar cells. A key target is to develop dyes that absorb light in the red to near-infrared region of the solar spectrum in order to match photoanodes optically in tandem devices; however, the photocurrent produced was found to decrease dramatically as the absorption maxima of the dye used was varied from 517 to 565 nm and varied strongly with the electrolyte solvent (acetonitrile, propionitrile, or propylene carbonate). To determine the limitations of the energy properties of the dye molecules and to provide guidelines for future sensitizer design, we have determined the redox potentials of the diiodide radical intermediate involved in the charge-transfer reactions in different solvents using photomodulated voltammetry. E°(I(3)(-)/I(2)(?-)) (V vs Fe(Cp)(2)(+/0)) = -0.64 for propylene carbonate, -0.82 for acetonitrile, and -0.87 for propionitrile. Inefficient regeneration of the sensitizer appears to be the efficiency-limiting step in the device, and the values presented here will be used to design more efficient dyes, with more cathodic reduction potentials, for photocathodes in tandem dye-sensitized solar cells.     

A novel alkaline redox couple: chemistry of the Fe(6+)/B(2-) super-iron boride battery

A high capacity alkaline redox storage chemistry is explored based on a novel, environmentally benign zirconia stabilized Fe(6+)/B(2-) chemistry, which sustains an electrochemical potential matched to the pervasive, conventional MnO(2)-Zn battery chemistry, however with a much higher electrochemical capacity.     

Bulk heterojunction photoelectrochemical cells consisting of oxotitanyl phthalocyanine nanoporous films and I(3)(-)/I(-) redox couple

Photoelectrochemical cells based on oxotitanylphthalocyanine (TiOPc) films and an I(3)(-)/I(-) redox couple have been constructed. The TiOPc films were prepared on an indium-tin oxide coated glass plate (ITO) by the micellar disruption method and characterized by their unique nanoporous structure. A photocurrent action spectrum for input radiation directed through the ITO/TiOPc film, film-thickness dependence, and morphological investigation revealed that the cells consisted of a bulk heterojunction formed between the nanoporous TiOPc films and the liquid I3-/I- electrolyte, resulting in a larger short-circuit current (J(sc)= 2.1 mA/cm(2)), open-circuit voltage (V(oc)= 0.11 V), fill factor (ff= 0.31), and hence a larger energy conversion efficiency (eta= 0.13% for an incident white-light intensity of 53 mW/cm2) than the bilayer structure composed of the vaccum-evaporated TiOPc compact film and the I(3)(-)/I(-) electrolyte (J(sc)= 0.16 mA/cm(2), V(oc)= 0.018 V, ff = 0.27, and eta = (1.5 x 10(-3)%).     

Synthesis of the (N2)3- radical from Y2+ and its protonolysis reactivity to form (N2H2)2- via the Y[N(SiMe3)2]3/KC8 reduction system

Examination of the Y[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3)/KC(8) reduction system that allowed isolation of the (N(2))(3-) radical has led to the first evidence of Y(2+) in solution. The deep-blue solutions obtained from Y[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3) and KC(8) in THF at -35 °C under argon have EPR spectra containing a doublet at g(iso) = 1.976 with a 110 G hyperfine coupling constant. The solutions react with N(2) to generate (N(2))(2-) and (N(2))(3-) complexes {[(Me(3)Si)(2)N](2)(THF)Y}(2)(μ-η(2):η(2)-N(2)) (1) and {[(Me(3)Si)(2)N](2)(THF)Y}(2)(μ-η(2):η(2)-N(2))[K(THF)(6)] (2), respectively, and demonstrate that the Y[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3)/KC(8) reaction can proceed through an Y(2+) intermediate. The reactivity of (N(2))(3-) radical with proton sources was probed for the first time for comparison with the (N(2))(2-) and (N(2))(4-) chemistry. Complex 2 reacts with [Et(3)NH][BPh(4)] to form {[(Me(3)Si)(2)N](2)(THF)Y}(2)(μ-N(2)H(2)), the first lanthanide (N(2)H(2))(2-) complex derived from dinitrogen, as well as 1 as a byproduct, consistent with radical disproportionation reactivity.     

Redox-switched crown ethers monocrown-biscrown interconversion coupled with redox of a thiol-disulfide couple

To give a redox-switch function to crown ethers, 4′-mercaptomono-benzo-15-crown-5 (CrSH) and its oxidized disulfide form (CrSSCr) were synthesized. The solvent extraction proved that the ion affinity of CrSH is generally greater than that of CrSSCr.     

Speciation of nitrogen - [N(3-)] and [N(2)(2-)] - in binary compounds

The nitrogen content of the binary compounds SrN = Sr(4)[N](2)[N(2)], Sr[N(2)], and Ba[N(2)] (prepared by high-pressure syntheses) was determined analytically by using the carrier gas hot extraction method. For handling of the air- and moisture-sensitive samples, a transfer chamber was constructed to protect the compounds against decomposition before being analyzed. Additionally, it was necessary to develop a method allowing controlled and variable heating of the electrode furnace to get analytical results with high precision and accuracy. By means of a suitable temperature program it was possible not only to verify the existence but also to quantify the two different nitrogen species ([N(3-)] and [N(2)(2-)]), and thus confirm the results of recent neutron diffraction studies.     

The (SO2)2N3- anion

The recently proposed (SO2)2N3- anion was structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction of the [Cs][(SO2)2N3] salt (P2(1)/c, a = 8.945(2) A, b = 10.454(2) A, c = 8.152(2) A, beta = 109.166(3) degrees, Z = 4, and R1 = 0.0329 at 130 K). In the (SO2)2N3- anion, both SO2 ligands are coordinated to one terminal nitrogen atom of the N3- anion.     

An alternative efficient redox couple for the dye-sensitized solar cell system

A series of new cobalt complexes [Co(LLL)(2)X(2)] were synthesized and evaluated as redox mediators for dye-sensitized nanocrystalline TiO(2) solar cells. The structure of the ligand and the nature of the counterions were found to influence the photovoltaic performance. The one-electron-transfer redox mediator [Co(dbbip)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (dbbip = 2,6-bis(1'-butylbenzimidazol-2'-yl)pyridine) performed best among the compounds investigated. Photovoltaic cells incorporating this redox mediator yielded incident photon-to-current conversion efficiencies (IPCE) of up to 80%. The overall yield of light-to-electric power conversion reached 8 % under simulated AM1.5 sunlight at 100 W m(-2) intensity and more than 4% at 1000 W m(-2). Photoelectrodes coated with a 2 microm thick nanoporous layer and a 4 microm thick light-scattering layer, sensitized with a hydrophobic ruthenium dye, gave the best results.