On the “simple check” of electrocapillarity

Contrary to some recent publications, the trivial definition of the surface charge density q?=?Q/A does not give any information about the charge Q and area A. Therefore this definition cannot be used as a “simple check,” rejecting results of electrochemical experiments where the values Q and A are the independent variables. Experimental confirmation and practical applications can be the two self-contained checks for the equations of solid-state electrocapillarity. Along with thermodynamics, the kinetic aspect is important here since the charge and area can oscillate in the large frequency range. Cycling the surface charge gives the three different contributions to the alternating surface tension of solids, corresponding to the double layer charging, reversible chemisorption, and discrete transitions closed within the rigid surface layer. The derivative of the charge density with respect to elastic deformation represents chemisorption and can be decreased to negligibly small value at the point of zero charge by increasing the frequency. On the base of the solid-state electrocapillarity, the dependence between the adsorption energy and elastic deformation was measured for the first time. It was thus found that stretching reinforces the bonding of hydrogen to the platinum surface. Acting inside the rigid surface monolayer, the alternating surface tension of solids is an independent tool in solving some complex problems of electrochemistry and solid-state physics. Two consecutive transitions are discovered on platinum instead of two coexistent hydrogen states which earlier were associated with two waves of the charging current. There are three consecutive hydrogen states separated along the potential axis by transitions from one state to another. Similar surface transitions are observed also on iridium, rhodium, and palladium. The number of transitions coincides with the number of finite radial nodes of the wave functions formed by d-electrons of these metals.     

Effect of mass transfer process on hydrogen adsorption on polycrystalline platinum electrode in sulfuric acid solution

The hydrogen adsorption on polycrystalline platinum electrode experimentally as well as on single crystal Pt(110), Pt(100) and Pt(111) electrode theoretically were studied. The study of forced convection on the electrode surface promotes the HUPD research from static process to a convective mode and provides a new strategy to investigate the hydrogen adsorption in solution.     

An influence of pretreatment conditions on surface structure and reactivity of Pt(100) towards CO oxidation reaction

We present a combined electrochemical and in situ STM study of the surface structure of Pt(100) single crystal electrodes in dependence on the cooling atmosphere after flame annealing. The following cooling conditions were applied: Ar/H₂ and Ar/CO mixtures (reductive atmosphere), argon (inert gas) and air (oxidative atmosphere). Surface characterization by in-situ STM allows deriving direct correlations between surface structure and macroscopic electrochemical behavior of the respective platinum electrodes. We investigated the influence of defect type and density as well as long range surface order on the kinetics of the CO electro-oxidation reaction. The defect-rich Pt(100) electrodes as cooled in air or Ar, and followed by immersion in the hydrogen adsorption region display higher activities as compared to the rather smooth Pt(100)-(1 × 1) electrode cooled in an Ar/H₂-atmosphere.     

Zero charge potentials of platinum metals and electron work functions (Review)

The methods of determining the potentials of zero total charge (ZTCP) and zero free charge (ZFCP) of platinum metals are considered. Special attention is paid to the CO displacement technique developed in the recent 15 years. This method allows directly determining the so called zero displaced charge potentials (ZDCP) that for many systems are close to ZTCP. The published experimental data are tabulated by values of ZTCP/ZDCP for electrodes of smooth polycrystalline and dispersed (electrolytic deposits) metals; single crystal faces; stepped surfaces with different step density; adatom layers of platinum metals on well characterized ordered supports; single crystal faces decorated by foreign adatoms; nanoparticles with the given surface structure, controlled shape, or given size. The concepts of global and local zero charge potential values (ZCP) are analyzed. The effect of the composition and surface structure, solution composition and pH, electrode pretreatment conditions on the ZCP values is discussed. Special attention is paid to the results of determination of ZTCP and ZFCP of the most intriguing interface: Pt(111)/solution of electrolyte. The necessity is emphasized of detailed studies of the size dependence of ZCP as an important aspect of nanoelectrochemistry. In the cases when the corresponding data are accessible, the values of ZCP and electron work function are compared. It is assumed that such comparison in the case of platinum metals can refer both to ZTCP/ZDCP and ZFCP. The results of comparison are discussed with account for the contributions of solution ions, hydrogen atoms, and water molecules to potential drops at interfaces.     

Tellurium adatoms as an in-situ surface probe of (111) two-dimensional domains at platinum surfaces

Irreversibly adsorbed tellurium has been studied as a probe to quantify ordered domains in platinum electrodes. The surface redox process of adsorbed tellurium on the Pt(111) electrode and Pt(111) stepped surfaces takes place around 0.85 V in a well-defined peak. The behavior of this redox process on the Pt(111) vicinal surfaces indicates that the tellurium atoms involved in the redox process are only those deposited on the (111) terrace sites. Moreover, the corresponding charge density is proportional to the number of sites on (111) ordered domains (terraces) that are, at least, three atoms wide. Hence, this charge density can be used to measure the number of (111) terrace sites on any given platinum sample. Structural information about tellurium adsorption is obtained from atomic-resolution STM images for the Pt(111) and Pt(10, 10, 9) electrodes. A rectangular structure (2 x radical 3) and a compact hexagonal structure (11 x 8) were identified. However, the redox peak for adsorbed tellurium on (100) domains at 1.03 V overlaps with peaks arising from steps and (110) sites. Therefore, it cannot be used without problems for the determination of (100) sites on a platinum sample. On the (100) terraces, the surface structure of the adsorbed tellurium is c(2 x 2), as revealed by STM. Finally, tellurium irreversible adsorption has been used to estimate the number of (111) ordered domains terrace sites on different polycrystalline platinum samples, and the results are compared to those obtained with bismuth irreversible adsorption.     

Electrochemistry in flames: a preliminary communication

We propose that the ionised gaseous media of a flame may be a suitable medium in which electrochemical phenomena can be investigated. This communication contains preliminary investigations into electrochemical phenomena in the gas phase, by considering the media of a flame as an electrolyte. A hypothesis is presented which possibly explains the occurrence of an electrochemical potential established at a metallic electrode surface when inserted into the flame. Using cyclic voltammetry with a three-electrode system, we observe current steps, which we have interpreted as Faradaic reduction of iron and copper ions introduced into the flame. Although the interpretations presented here are at this stage speculative, the results open new avenues for research and applications of electrochemistry by proposing ionised gaseous media as vehicles for gas phase electrochemistry.     

Hydrogen peroxide electrochemistry on platinum: towards understanding the oxygen reduction reaction mechanism

Understanding the hydrogen peroxide electrochemistry on platinum can provide information about the oxygen reduction reaction mechanism, whether H(2)O(2) participates as an intermediate or not. The H(2)O(2) oxidation and reduction reaction on polycrystalline platinum is a diffusion-limited reaction in 0.1 M HClO(4). The applied potential determines the Pt surface state, which is then decisive for the direction of the reaction: when H(2)O(2) interacts with reduced surface sites it decomposes producing adsorbed OH species; when it interacts with oxidized Pt sites then H(2)O(2) is oxidized to O(2) by reducing the surface. Electronic structure calculations indicate that the activation energies of both processes are low at room temperature. The H(2)O(2) reduction and oxidation reactions can therefore be utilized for monitoring the potential-dependent oxidation of the platinum surface. In particular, the potential at which the hydrogen peroxide reduction and oxidation reactions are equally likely to occur reflects the intrinsic affinity of the platinum surface for oxygenated species. This potential can be experimentally determined as the crossing-point of linear potential sweeps in the positive direction for different rotation rates, hereby defined as the "ORR-corrected mixed potential" (c-MP).     

Cathodic modifications of platinum surfaces in organic solvent: reversibility and cation type effects

Cathodic modification of platinum surfaces leads to the formation of iono-platinic phases ([Pt(n-), M+, MX]), which involves the insertion of cations and salts into the platinum electrode. This process was investigated at the local scale by in situ observation of surface electrochemical processes by atomic force microscopy (EC-AFM) techniques as a function of the salt and the injected charge, with special attention about the process reversibility. AFM images recorded in solution after the cathodic modifications of well-defined platinum surfaces [epitaxial platinum deposit on (100) MgO substrate] show drastic modification on the morphology of the surface, confirming previous ex situ studies. The amplitude of the modifications directly depends on both the nature of supporting electrolyte and the quantity of charge injected into the platinum. As long as the injected charge remains small enough to maintain the adhesion of the Pt deposit onto the MgO substrate, the process was found to be fully reversible. Indeed, impressive morphology changes occur under the cathodic treatment (formation of [Pt(n-), M+, MX]) but the initial geometry is totally recovered after reoxidation of the iono-platinic phase. This cycle of reduction-reoxidation can be performed several times without any significant alteration of the recovered surface and of its structural characteristics. It is suggested that the modification starts at the interface solution platinum surface and then its insertion into the platinum surface.     

Controlled-Atmosphere Flame Fusion Single-Crystal Growth of Non-Noble fcc,hcp, and bcc Metals Using Copper,Cobalt, and Iron

The growth of noble-metal single crystals via the flame fusion method was developed in the 1980s. Since then, there have been no major advancements to the technique until the recent development of the controlled-atmosphere flame fusion (CAFF) method to grow non-noble Ni single crystals. Herein, we demonstrate the generality of this method with the first preparation of fcc Cu as well as the first hcp and bcc single crystals of Co and Fe, respectively. The high quality of the single crystals was verified using scanning electron microscopy and Laue X-ray backscattering. Based on Wulff constructions, the equilibrium shapes of the single-crystal particles were studied, confirming the symmetry of the fcc, hcp, and bcc single-crystal lattices. The low cost of the CAFF method makes all kinds of high-quality non-noble single crystals independent of their lattice accessible for use in electrocatalysis, electrochemistry, surface science, and materials science.     

Reduction of cytochrome c at a lipid bilayer modified electrode

The reduction of horse heart cytochrome c has been investigated at a platinum electrode modified with a lipid bilayer membrane (BLM) which immobilized vinyl ferrocene as an electron mediator. The current—voltage curves show that the direct electrochemistry of cytochrome c at the metal electrode occurs quite efficiently. An adsorption equilibrium constant for cytochrome at the BLM surface, as well as an electron transfer rate constant between the protein and the modified electrode have been estimated from these results. The values of both parameters are much higher than those reported with other types of electrode modifications, indicating that a lipid bilayer-modified platinum electrode system using vinyl ferrocene as a mediator provides substantial improvements in electrochemical activity of cytochrome c at metal electrodes. The potential for modifying and utilizing this new class of “biomembrane-like” electrode surface for metalloprotein electrochemistry is briefly discussed.     

Gas phase electrochemical detection of single latex particles

In this study we describe zero current potentiometric measurements in a gaseous flame electrolyte, for the detection of single latex particles. Combustion of polystyrene latex particles when added to a premixed hydrogen/oxygen/nitrogen flame, results in an increase in charged species relative to the surrounding hydrogen flame. As a consequence of this increase in ionic concentration over background, short-lived potential difference transients were measured between two platinum indicator electrodes placed in a two-compartment flame electrochemical cell (described in Electrochem. Commun., 2001, 3, 675-681). The frequency of the transient events was dependent on the number density of latex particles in solution. It is proposed that each short-lived transient event corresponds to the combustion of single latex particles in a flame. A potential difference maximum of 0.56 V when 3.0 microm diameter particles were added to the flame was measured. Also it was shown that it is possible to detect 0.3 microm diameter latex particles using the same technique. It is postulated that the physical basis of the potential difference is due to the establishment of diffusion/junction potential due to the increase in ionisation from polystyrene combustion at the surface of one indicator electrode. This methodology may be applied to the detection of particulates composed of ionisable species (organic or inorganic) in gaseous environment such as bacteria, viruses, pollen grains and dust.     

Reduction of cytochrome c at a lipid bilayer modified electrode

The reduction of horse heart cytochrome c has been investigated at a platinum electrode modified with a lipid bilayer membrane (BLM) which immobilized vinyl ferrocene as an electron mediator. The current-voltage curves show that the direct electrochemistry of cytochrome c at the metal electrode occurs quite efficiently. An adsorption equilibrium constant for cytochrome at the BLM surface, as well as an electron transfer rate constant between the protein and the modified electrode have been estimated from these results. The values of both parameters are much higher than those reported with other types of electrode modifications, indicating that a lipid bilayer-modified platinum electrode system using vinyl ferrocene as a mediator provides substantial improvements in electrochemical activity of cytochrome c at metal electrodes. The potential for modifying and utilizing this new class of “biomembrane-like” electrode surface for metalloprotein electrochemistry is briefly discussed.     

Surface characterization of Pt electrodes using underpotential deposition of H and Cu: Part I. Pt(100)

This paper is the first in a series describing the in situ surface characterization of platinum electrodes using H and Cu deposited at underpotentials. The surface of a Pt(100) electrode pretreated by simple flame annealing and quenching in aqueous sulfuric acid is shown to contain a high concentration of defects such as vacancies and self-adsorbed Pt atoms. Adsorbed hydrogen is more strongly bound at these defects than on a uniform Pt(100) surface. Potential cycling in 1 M HCl produces a higher concentration of defects, while oxide formation and reduction in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ has the opposite effect. The nature of (100)-like sites at a polycrystalline platinum electrode is also discussed.     

PHOTOVOLTAGE AND PHOTOCURRENT AT TETRAPHENYLPORPHYRIN AND ZINC TETRAPHENYLPORPHYRIN ELECTRODES IN ACIDIC SOLUTIONS

Abstract— Photoelectrochemical properties of tetraphenylporphyrin and zinc tetraphenylporphyrin spread on a platinum plate were investigated in acidic solutions containing a variety of electroactive species. It was found that the photovoltage measured in 0.5 M sulfuric acid solutions depended strongly on the redox potential of the electroactive species; species having a redox potential of around 1.0 V vs NHE (such as oxygen and dichromate ions) generated the largest photovoltage. A similar dependency was also observed in the photocurrent, although a little ambiguous. These phenomena are discussed from a point of semiconductor electrochemistry. The magnitude of the photocurrent was found to be influenced by solution pH, suggesting that protonation of the porphyrin film surface plays an important role in the charge transfer process.     

Controlled‐Atmosphere Flame Fusion Single‐Crystal Growth of Non‐Noble fcc,hcp, and bcc Metals Using Copper,Cobalt, and Iron

The growth of noble‐metal single crystals via the flame fusion method was developed in the 1980s. Since then, there have been no major advancements to the technique until the recent development of the controlled‐atmosphere flame fusion (CAFF) method to grow non‐noble Ni single crystals. Herein, we demonstrate the generality of this method with the first preparation of fcc Cu as well as the first hcp and bcc single crystals of Co and Fe, respectively. The high quality of the single crystals was verified using scanning electron microscopy and Laue X‐ray backscattering. Based on Wulff constructions, the equilibrium shapes of the single‐crystal particles were studied, confirming the symmetry of the fcc, hcp, and bcc single‐crystal lattices. The low cost of the CAFF method makes all kinds of high‐quality non‐noble single crystals independent of their lattice accessible for use in electrocatalysis, electrochemistry, surface science, and materials science.     

Photoinduced electron transfer in platinum(II) terpyridinyl acetylide complexes connected to a porphyrin unit

A series of six new dyads consisting of a zinc or magnesium porphyrin appended to a platinum terpyridine acetylide complex via a para-phenylene bisacetylene spacer are described. Different substituents on the 4' position of the terpyridinyl ligand were explored (OC7H15, PO3Et2, and H). The ground-state electronic properties of the dyads are studied by electronic absorption spectroscopy and electrochemistry, and they indicate some electronic interactions between the porphyrin subunit and the platinum complex. The photophysical properties of these dyads were investigated by steady-state, time-resolved, and femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy in N,N-dimethylformamide solution. Excitation of the porphyrin unit leads to a very rapid electron transfer (2-20 ps) to the nearby platinum complex followed by an ultrafast charge recombination, thus preventing any observation of the charge separated state. The variation in the rate of the photoinduced electron transfer in the series of dyads is consistent with Marcus theory. The results underscore the potential of the para-phenylene bisacetylene bridge to mediate a rapid electron transfer over a long donor-acceptor distance.     

The surface structure of flame-annealed Au(100) in aqueous solution: An STM study

The initial structure of flame-annealed Au(100) surfaces has been studied in air and in 0.1 M H₂SO₄ by scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM). It is shown that before, during and after contact with the electrolyte, at potentials sufficiently negative to prevent specific adsorption of anions, the flame-annealed Au(100) surface is reconstructed into exactly the same “hex” form as a surface which has been prepared by annealing in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV). However, the quality of the reconstructed surface depends sensitively on the sample preparation and on the experimental conditions of the flame-annealing procedure. The influence of the cooling procedure after flame annealing on the initial surface structure of the Au(100) electrode is demonstrated and briefly discussed in the light of results published previously.     

The synthesis of a pyrrole-functionalized cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) derivative and its corresponding [2]rotaxane and [2]catenane and their subsequent deposition onto an electrode surface

We report the convenient synthesis of a pyrrole-functionalized tetracationic cyclophane, [2]rotaxane, and [2]catenane. X-ray crystallography has confirmed the interlocked structure of the catenane. We have investigated the solution properties of these systems using solution electrochemistry, NMR, and UV-vis spectroscopy. We have also demonstrated that it is possible to immobilize these systems onto a platinum working electrode surface. We have shown that films of the cyclophane have the ability to undergo complexation with a dialkyloxynaphthalene derivative.     

Modeling electrochemical interfaces from ab initio molecular dynamics: water adsorption on metal surfaces at potential of zero charge

The origin of the potential difference between the potential of zero charge of a metal/water interface and the work function of the metal is a recurring issue because it is related to how water interacts with metal surface in the absence of surface charge. Recently ab initio molecular dynamics method has been used to model electrochemical interfaces to study interfacial potential and the structure of interface water. Here, we will first introduce the computational standard hydrogen electrode method, which allows for ab initio determination of electrode potentials that can be directly compared with experiment. Then, we will review the recent progress from ab initio molecular dynamics simulation in understanding the interaction between water and metal and its impact on interfacial potential. Finally, we will give our perspective for future development of ab initio computational electrochemistry.     

Direct electrochemistry of bacterial cytochrome c551 at surface-modified gold electrodes

The direct electrochemistry of the single heme cytochrome c₅₅₁ from the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been investigated at gold electrodes surface-modified through chemisorption of polyfunctional organic molecules. The results have been compared and contrasted with those obtained under the same conditions for the eukaryotic cytochrome c from horse heart. Both cytochromes give a quasi-reversible electrode reaction at pH 6.0 at a modified interface presenting only 4-pyridyl groups to the solution suggesting the occurrence, in both cases, of a hydrogen bonding interaction from lysine side-chains on the protein to pyridyl-nitrogens on the electrode surface. However, in contrast, gold electrodes modified by Pyridine-n-AldehydeThioSemicarbazones (n = 2, 3, 4) give electrochemistry which is strongly isomer-dependent in the case of horse heart cytochrome c but completely isomer-independent in the case of cytochrome c₅₅₁. It is suggested that interaction of the eukaryotic protein with surfaces is dominated by its lysine residues only, but that interaction of the bacterial cytochrome is through hydrogen bonding from the surface to both lysines and carboxylate groups of aspartate residues. This is supported by observation of the loss of cytochrome c₅₅₁ electrochemistry at 4-pyridyl-only modified gold at pH 9.0 compared with the good, quasi-reversible electrochemistry maintained under the same conditions at PATS-4 modified gold. It is concluded that, while the two cytochromes show many similarities with respect to their structures and functions, they have quite different interfacial electron transfer reactions, particularly at PATS-modified electrodes. This may correlate with the known large differences between the two proteins in net electrostatic charge and surface charge distribution.