Electrochemical treatment (EChT) effects in rat mammary and liver tissue. In vivo optimizing of a dose-planning model for EChT of tumours.

BACKGROUND: A reinvented technique for tumour therapy, electrochemical treatment (EChT), is attracting increasing attention. This study compared results from treatment of liver and mammary tissue focusing on destruction and pH changes in the tissue close to the treatment electrodes. Subsequently, data were compared with a dose-planning model. METHODS: Mammary or liver tissue in 50 adult female Sprague Dawley rats was given EChT with a constant, direct current. The electrodes used were Pt/Ir (9:1) with spherical tips. In situ pH measurements were taken with a micro-combination glass electrode. RESULTS: Spherical lesions were produced in both liver and mammary tissue. No significant difference was detected when comparing the size of the lesions in the two kinds of tissue. Similar pH profiles were obtained in tissue surrounding the electrodes, with pH values changing rapidly from unphysiological to neutral status within the space of a few millimetres. The pH at the border of the macroscopic destruction zone, regardless of tissue type or coulomb dosage, correlated well with specific values (4.5-5.5 at the anode and between 9 and 10 at the cathode). CONCLUSION: The analogous destruction patterns in mammary and liver tissue support the hypothesis that EChT has similar results in at least these two different types of tissue. This implies that the destructive pattern caused by the treatment may be the same also in tumours.     

Water electrolysis: an excellent approach for the removal of water from ionic liquids

An electrochemical system based on platinum cathode and glassy carbon anode was assembled for a successful removal of water from ionic liquids via the water electrolysis strategy.     

Characteristics of charged networks under an electric stimulus

The electrokinetic phenomena of poly(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propane sulfonic acid-co-n-butylmethacrylate) were examined to investigate physical changes of the gel under an applied electric current. When an electrical stimulus was applied to a piece of the gel, without being in contact with an electrode, reversible gel bending was observed. The bending degree was directly proportional to the intensity of the applied electric stimulus. This was explained by ‘depletion polarization’ of ionic species under the stimulus. The swelling of the gel surface facing the anode increased, due to the decreased ionic strength of the boundary layer upon electric stimulation, while gel shrinking occurred at the cathode. When the gel is in direct contact with electrodes, deswelling of the gel was observed at the anode side, while water seepage occurred at the cathode side. This observation was attributed to the electro-osmosis inside the gel, combined with local pH changes around the electrodes resulting from electrochemical reactions, particularly water electrolysis. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Kinetics of the electrochemical oxidation of 1,1-bis-hydroperoxy-4-methylcyclohexane on platinum

The electrochemical synthesis of 3,12-dimethyl-7,8,15,16-tetraoxadispiro[5.2.5.2]hexadecane (1,2,4,5-tetraoxane) from 1,1-bis-hydroperoxy-4-methylcyclohexane on platinum electrode in a cell with separated and unseparated cathode and anode space in an aprotic solvent is conducted. The kinetics of electrochemical oxidation of 1,1-bis(hydroperoxy)-4-methylcyclohexane is studied. The current yield of the reaction is determined.     

Electro-fluid analysis of a molten-salt electrorefiner with rotating cruciform anode baskets

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based multiphysics model of a molten-salt electrorefiner is presented for the computational electro-fluid analysis. A target model of the electrorefining cell presented here has a structure arranged concentrically with the cathode annulus surrounding a rotating cruciform anode inside it. This comprehensive approach of a multiphysics model solves the convective and diffusive transport of ionic uranium and allows for a prediction of the concentration present in the LiCl–KCl eutectic electrolyte between the electrodes at a current driven condition. The coupling of the local overpotential distribution and uranium concentration gradient makes it possible to predict the local current density distribution at the electrode surfaces.     

Electroreduction of triphenylphosphine dichloride and the efficient one-pot reductive conversion of phosphine oxide to triphenylphosphine

Electroreduction of triphenylphosphine dichloride in acetonitrile was performed successfully in an undivided cell fitted with an aluminium sacrificial anode and a platinum cathode. Further, the one-pot transformation of triphenylphosphine oxide to triphenylphosphine was achieved successfully by the treatment of triphenylphosphine oxide in acetonitrile with oxalyl chloride and subsequent electrochemical reduction.     

Oxygen reduction kinetics on graphite cathodes in sediment microbial fuel cells

Sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) have been used as renewable power sources for sensors in fresh and ocean waters. Organic compounds at the anode drive anodic reactions, while oxygen drives cathodic reactions. An understanding of oxygen reduction kinetics and the factors that determine graphite cathode performance is needed to predict cathodic current and potential losses, and eventually to estimate the power production of SMFCs. Our goals were to (1) experimentally quantify the dependence of oxygen reduction kinetics on temperature, electrode potential, and dissolved oxygen concentration for the graphite cathodes of SMFCs and (2) develop a mechanistic model. To accomplish this, we monitored current on polarized cathodes in river and ocean SMFCs. We found that (1) after oxygen reduction is initiated, the current density is linearly dependent on polarization potential for both SMFC types; (2) current density magnitude increases linearly with temperature in river SMFCs but remains constant with temperature in ocean SMFCs; (3) the standard heterogeneous rate constant controls the current density temperature dependence; (4) river and ocean SMFC graphite cathodes have large potential losses, estimated by the model to be 470 mV and 614 mV, respectively; and (5) the electrochemical potential available at the cathode is the primary factor controlling reduction kinetic rates. The mechanistic model based on thermodynamic and electrochemical principles successfully fit and predicted the data. The data, experimental system, and model can be used in future studies to guide SMFC design and deployment, assess SMFC current production, test cathode material performance, and predict cathode contamination.     

常压微等离子体阳极与离子溶液界面的电荷转移反应

常压微等离子体电极是一种有望取代常用贵金属电极用于电化学反应的气体电极. 然而目前关于微等离子体阳极与离子溶液界面反应的研究及其用于金属电沉积的报道还较少. 本文使用常压微等离子体作为阳极, 通过紫外-可见吸收光谱监测阳极电解液中亚铁氰化钾被氧化生成的铁氰化钾的含量, 发现铁氰化钾的含量随放电时间的延长而增加, 并且其增加的速率与放电电流成比例. 在放电结束后, 随着放置时间的延长铁氰化钾的含量继续升高, 其升高的速率与放电时间的长短有关. 放电结束后铁氰化钾含量的增加速率远小于放电时的增加速率. 实验结果表明微等离子体电极可以作为气体阳极在等离子体和液体界面进行电荷传输, 并引发电化学反应, 同时在放电的过程中产生了氧化活性物质. 在饱和硫酸铜溶液中, 使用微等离子体阳极可以在不锈钢阴极上进行铜的电沉积, 电流效率达到90%.     

Electrochemical treatment of tumours

The electrochemical treatment (EChT) of tumours implies that tumour tissue is treated with a continuous direct current through two or more electrodes placed in or near the tumour. The treatment offers considerable promise of a safe, simple and relatively noninvasive anti-tumour therapy for treatment of localised malignant as well as benign tumours. Although more than 10,000 patients have been treated in China during the past 10 years, EChT has not yet been universally accepted. The reason for this is the lack of essential preclinical studies and controlled clinical trials. Uncertainties regarding the destruction mechanism of EChT also hinder the development of an optimised and reliable dose-planning methodology. This article reviews the collected Chinese and occidental experiences of the electrochemical treatment of tumours, alone and in combination with other therapies. The current knowledge of the destruction mechanism underlying EChT is presented along with different approaches towards a dose planning methodology. In addition, we discuss our view of different important parameters that have to be accounted for, if clinical trials are to be initiated outside of China.     

Automatic coulometric titration of acids

An apparatus is described for the automatic titration of acids by the constant current coulometric technique. The generator electrodes comprise a platinum cathode and a silver/silver bromide anode. The increase in pH resulting from the reduction of hydrogen ion at the cathode is indicated by a glass electrode, in conjunction with a Beckman Automatic Titrator which automatically monitors the titration and interrupts the generating current when the equivalence point pH is reached. Quantities of hydrochloric acid in the neighborhood of 0.12 millimole in 50 ml were titrated with a mean error of ^-0.07% and an average deviation from the mean of ±0.15%. The technique is applicable to any strong or weak acid, and to acid mixtures, provided that no substance is present which is either reducible at the platinum cathode or reactive in any way at the silver anode.     

Hg cathode-free electrochemical detosylation of N,N-disubstituted p-toluenesulfonamides: mild, efficient, and selective removal of N-tosyl group

Hg cathode-free electrochemical detosylation of N,N-disubstituted p-toluenesulfonamides was successfully carried out by a constant current electrolysis using an undivided cell equipped with a platinum cathode and a magnesium anode in the presence of an arene mediator. The deprotection proceeded efficiently and selectively under neutral and mild conditions with a stoichiometric amount of electricity without the use of an Hg cathode to obtain the corresponding secondary amines in good to excellent yields.     

电解水金属单原子催化剂的研究进展

氢能因其能量密度高、清洁无污染等特点,作为替代化石燃料的能源载体得到了广泛的研究.如何清洁高效地制备氢气受到了大量研究者的关注.当前,以化石能源的热反应所得副产氢气是主要来源.然而,采用该类方法不仅不能摆脱化石能源的使用以及温室气体的排放,还会造成生产氢气的纯度不高,碳氧化物杂质浓度过高的问题,严重影响氢气的后续使用.采用可再生能源(太阳能、风能等)所产富余电,进行电解水制氢,产生的氢气不含碳氧化合物杂质,纯度很高,可以真正实现碳的零排放,被认为是未来氢气来源的重要方式.目前,电解水制氢在制氢市场的所占份额较小,而造成这样局面的主要因素是该过程中的高能耗问题.为了降低能耗,开发高效催化剂加速两个电极上的电解反应的动力学尤为重要.近年,金属单原子催化剂(SACs)因其独特的结构,在很多研究中被用作电解水催化剂,进而开发出大量高性能的金属单原子电解水催化剂.本文综述了近年SACs在电解水催化方面的应用.首先,针对电解水反应本身,总结了阴阳极两侧的电极反应机制以及影响电极催化性能的关键吸附中间物种;然后,根据载体的不同,即合金、碳以及其它化合物将SACs分为三类,总结了相关电解水催化研究现状,并且针对不同类型SACs目前的发展情况,提出了它们各自存在的问题.其次,进一步总结了影响SACs电解水催化活性的因素,提出了四种决定SACs催化性能的影响因子,分别为金属原子的固有元素性质、配位环境、几何结构和负载量;同时讨论了这四类影响因素对SACs催化活性的影响机制,总结了调控各类影响因素的方法,为SACs的设计提出了一些建议.最后,展望了SACs在电解水催化中的应用,探讨了SACs在催化剂设计及催化机制研究方面的问题,提出了SACs在电解水催化中的未来发展方向.     

Hydrophobized oxygen cathode of a fuel cell with a liquid electrolyte: Calculating overall currents and thicknesses

The mechanism governing operation of hydrophobized cathodes is discussed. A model is proposed for the active-layer structure. The model consists of equidimensional hydrophobic (agglomerates of polytetrafluoroethylene particles) and hydrophilic (agglomerates of carbon black particles with the catalyst on them) grains. The percolation characteristics of the model are calculated: the presence of a gas cluster and an ionic cluster is established, the specific area of contact between these clusters is determined, the magnitude of ionic conductivity is assayed, and so forth. The “model of cylindrical gas pores” is selected for calculating the overall current. Formulas for the bulk current density are determined. The overall characteristics of a cathode with a platinum catalyst on a carbonaceous carrier (on carbon black) in 7 M KOH at a temperature of 60°C are calculated with allowance made for the fact that the Tafel plots for the process of reduction of oxygen on platinum have two segments with different slopes.     

电化学处理对神木煤显微组分表面结构及可浮性的影响研究

为建立煤岩显微组分的电化学浮选分离方法,以铝为电极,考察了阳极和阴极电化学处理对神木煤镜质组和惰质组表面结构及表面电位和润湿性的影响规律。结果表明,电化学处理对煤岩显微组分表面-OH、-COOH等含氧官能团影响显著;阳极处理使显微组分表面zeta电位向负电方向偏移,且润湿性增加,阴极处理则使其向正电方向偏移,润湿性减小;阳极处理后镜质组接触角的变化趋势更为显著,而阴极处理对于惰质组的影响更为明显。     

Voltammetry of Formaldehyde at Mechanically Renewable Solid Electrodes

The electrochemical behavior of formaldehyde (CH₂O) at solid electrodes made of platinum, gold, silver, cobalt, nickel, copper, and graphite was studied. The working surface of the electrodes was renewed by cutting a thin layer (0.5 m) immediately in the test solution. It was found that, in alkaline solutions, CH₂O was oxidized at all electrodes other than cobalt and graphite ones while scanning the potential to the anode and cathode regions. The peaks of CH₂O oxidation at platinum and gold electrodes using potential scanning in the anode and cathode directions, as well as at nickel, copper, and silver electrodes using potential scanning in the anodic direction, are suitable for analytical purposes.     

Cell proliferation and apoptosis in rat mammary cancer after electrochemical treatment (EChT)

BACKGROUND: Several authors have recently reported encouraging results from Electrochemical treatment (EChT) in malignant tumours. However, EChT is not established and mechanisms are not completely understood. In vivo studies were conducted to evaluate the toxic changes and effectiveness of EChT on an animal tumour model. METHODS: Tumours were induced by injecting cells from the R3230AC rat mammary tumour cell line clone D subcutaneously, in 28 female Fischer 344 rats. EChT was conducted by inserting a platinum electrode into the tumours. The positive and negative control groups were subjected to the same conditions but without current. The rats were kept for 0, 7 or 14 days post-treatment. Three hours prior to euthanasia an i.p. injection of Bromodioxyuridine (BrdU) was given. The rats were euthanized, the lesions extirpated and samples were collected for histopathological, and immunohistochemical examination. RESULTS: Significant changes in cell proliferation rate were seen both in the cathode and anode regions. Apoptosis were induced in the anodic treated area outside the primary necrosis, detected with the TUNEL method. DISCUSSION: The results suggest that secondary cell destruction was caused by necrosis with cathodic EChT and apoptosis or necrosis with anodic EChT.     

A comparative study on direct and indirect electrochemical oxidation of polyaromatic compounds

This study has been performed to investigate the treatment of an industrial wastewater containing naphthalene- and anthraquinone-sulfonic acids, by direct and indirect electrolyses. The direct electrochemical oxidation has been carried out using boron-doped diamond and lead dioxide anodes, while the indirect electrolyses has been mediated by active chlorine electrogenerated on a platinum anode, or by hydrogen peroxide electrogenerated on a graphite felt cathode. For each type of electrolyses the effects of operating parameters, such as anode material, current density, chloride concentration, ferrous ions concentrations have been also investigated. Measurements of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and colour fading have been used to compare the results of different electrolyses. Experimental data showed that the complete COD and colour removals have been obtained only by direct oxidation or by active chlorine mediated electrolyses. On the contrary using electrogenerated hydrogen peroxide the solution has been presented a residual COD and colour. In particular, it found that faster oxidation rate has been obtained by direct oxidation using a boron-doped diamond anodes at low current density.     

混合超级电容器AC/LiMn2O4体系的电化学性能

对AC/LiMnO4体系混合电容器进行研究,以活性炭(AC)为负极材料,尖晶石结构的LiMn2O4为正极材料,Li2SO4为电解液。该体系的原理与锂离子电池很相似,从本质上说属于一种特殊的锂离子电池。改变正负极的质量配比,根据其电化学性能确定了该体系最佳的正负极质量配比。对不同电解液浓度的电容器进行不同电流密度充放电测试,发现电解液浓度增加,会使容量和大电流性能得到明显改善,极化电阻的增大会大大降低放电电压平台。实验表明该体系具有较高的能量密度和功率密度,同时保持了良好的循环性能。     

Electrode materials and reaction mechanisms in solid oxide fuel cells: a brief review

This work is focused on the comparative analysis of electrochemical and transport properties in the major families of cathode and anode compositions for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and materials science-related factors affecting electrode performance. The first part presents a brief overview of the electrochemical and chemical reactions in SOFCs, specific rate-determining steps of the electrode processes, solid oxide electrolyte ceramics, and effects of partial oxygen ionic and electronic conductivities in the SOFC components. The aspects associated with materials compatibility, thermal expansion, stability, and electrocatalytic behavior are also briefly discussed. Primary attention is centered on the experimental data and approaches reported during the last 10–15 years, reflecting the main challenges in the field of materials development for the ceramic fuel cells.