Resolving electron transfer kinetics at the nanocrystal/solution interface

The kinetics of electron transfer between individual gold nanocrystals and a solution redox species is quantified. The observed rate is dependent on the extent of electronic coupling between nanocrystals in the monolayer indicating the effect of Coulomb blockade on electrochemical kinetics.     

Effect of external magnetic fields on electron transfer and ion pairing dynamics at ferrocenyl alkane thiol SAM/solution interfaces

The redox behavior of ferrocene alkane thiol self assembled monolayer modified electrodes in contact with aqueous perchlorate solutions both in the absence of and in the presence of an external magnetic field is examined using both electrochemical and gravimetric techniques The redox switching process involves an ET reaction involving the ferrocene/ferricinium redox transition coupled with an ion pairing step involving perchlorate ion. The voltammetric response recorded in the latter medium is irreversibly affected by the imposition of a static magnetic field of magnitude 0.5 T applied in a direction parallel to the electrode surface. The magnetic field dependence of the redox behavior is attributed to structural changes in the monolayer arising from double layer effects involving changes in the spatial distribution of perchlorate counterions at the monolayer/solution interface, brought about by local convective stirring arising from the B field generated magnetohydrodynamic Lorenz body force.     

The kinetics of electron transfer in the thionine-coated electrode

Transient studies using potential jump and optical absorbance have been carried out on thionine-coated electrodes. Both types of transient are shown to fit a simple diffusion model. At pH 1.3 the characteristic diffusion time varies with the size of the anion present in the electrolyte, showing that diffusion of the counter ions is the rate-limiting process. At pH 5 faster, more uniform, rates are found which are attributed to rate-limiting electron hopping. The rate constant for this process is in rough agreement with the rate of the conproportionation reaction of thionine and leucothionine. The electron-hopping process also limits the maximum current that can be passed through the modified electrode in the steady state.     

Diffusion-controlled adsorption kinetics at the air/solution interface

 To describe diffusion-controlled adsorption, the diffusion equation is solved under different initial and boundary conditions by means of a Laplace transformation. By solving this equation, it has been found that the solution, which Ward and Tordai used, is only applicable for x>0; therefore, it is incorrect if the derivation is made at x = 0. Ward and Tordai did not notice this and the first derivation was made at x = 0 in order to get the dynamic surface adsorption, Γ(t). In this paper, an accurate solution, which is applicable for x≥ 0, is given and the expression for Γ(t) is obtained. Furthermore the relationship between the dynamic surface tension and Γ(t) is derived. As an example, the dynamic surface tensions of an aqueous octyl-β-d-glucopyranosid solution were measured by means of the maximum bubble pressure method. By using the derived theory it has been proved that the controlling mechanism of the adsorption process of this surfactant at the long-time-adsorption limits changes as a function of the bulk concentration; only at dilute concentration is it controlled by diffusion. Received: 26 July 1999/Accepted in revised form: 16 September 1999     

三相电极法研究液/液界面离子转移的进展

三相电极法作为研究液/液界面离子转移的一种新方法,具有简单、快速、经济的特点。文章回顾了液/液界面离子转移的发展历史,介绍了三相电极法的实验原理,并对其在电化学中的研究进展和应用进行了评述,引用文献48篇。     

Noise and ac impedance analysis of ion transfer kinetics at the micro liquid/liquid interface

Fluctuation analysis was utilized to determine the TEA ion transfer kinetics across the water/1,2-dichloroethane interface. The obtained data were compared with those derived from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy experiments using the same electrolytic cell. The apparent standard rate constants k_s determined by these two techniques have a similar value. The average value k_s = 0.37 cm s^− 1 is comparable with the previously reported value k_s = 0.2 cm s^− 1. The experimental approach utilizing a thick wall glass micro-capillary to fix the interface exhibits a very small stray capacitance value, proving this system to be suitable for determining the kinetics of the fast ion transfer across a liquid/liquid interface. Application of a method employing a small perturbation signal prevents polarization of the inner capillary surface by current flowing through the cell. The induced polarization of the capillary can affect ion concentration at the interface due to electroosmosis and thus make the kinetic data evaluation difficult or erroneous.     

Sub-Tc electron transfer at the HTSC/polymer interface

The first kinetic measurements for electron transfer (ferrocene/ferricinium reaction) at the interface between an HTSC (Tl,Pb1223) and a redox polymer (ferrocene-tagged poly-pyrrole) show that superconductivity affects electron transfer rate, which thus offers a novel probe of the superconducting state.     

Sub-Tc electron transfer at the Hg-HTSC/liquid-electrolyte interface

The cyclic voltammetry of ferrocene (CpFeCp) adsorbed as a monolayer of CpFeCpCO2(CH2)8SH, self-assembled onto the Hg-based high-temperature superconductor Hg0.8Re0.2Ba2Ca2Cu3O10 (Tc = 134 K), via an ultrathin (3.1 nm) Ag film, has been performed in liquid electrolyte (16:7:1 EtCl/THF/2-MeTHF; 0.2 M LiBF4) at a range of temperatures spanning the superconducting transition. Kinetic analysis based on the Marcus density-of-states theory affords standard heterogeneous rate constants, k degrees , for the ferrocene/ferricinium electron-transfer reaction. Casting these data in Arrhenius form yields a value of k degrees (273 K) = 357 s-1, which is 10-fold lower than that previously reported for the same reaction at a metal electrode in a similar electrolyte, while the reorganizational energy of 0.92 eV for the superconductor interface is very close to that for the related metal interface of 0.95 eV. There is, however, no effect of the onset of superconductivity on the electron-transfer rate for this system; the Arrhenius plot is linear through Tc. This is the first sub-Tc electrochemistry of any kind on a Hg-based superconductor and demonstrates the ease with which kinetic data can be obtained for these very high-Tc materials, opening the way for the routine study of a range of electron-transfer reactions as novel probes of the superconducting state.     

Effect of mechanical stress on the kinetics of heterogeneous electron transfer

The scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM) combined with a computerized tensile stage was employed to measure the kinetics of electron transfer (ET) reactions at stainless steel electrodes as a function of the applied mechanical stress. Reproducible current versus distance curves were obtained for different values of the tensile stress applied to a stainless steel (T-316) sample by using hexaammineruthenium as a redox mediator. The dependences of the extracted rate constant on substrate potential (i.e., Tafel plots, ln k versus E) were linear, in agreement with classical electrochemical theory. Possible origins of the stress effect on the ET rate and its implications for studies of stress corrosion cracking are discussed.     

The influence of pH on phosphatidylcholine monolayer at the air/aqueous solution interface

The measurements of the interfacial tension at the air/aqueous subphase interface as the function of pH were performed. The interfacial tension of the air–aqueous subphase interface was divided into contributions of individuals. A simple model of the influence of pH on the phosphatidylcholine monolayer at the air/hydrophobic chains of phosphatidylcholine is presented. The contributions of additive phosphatidylcholine forms (both interfacial tension values and molecular area values) depend on pH. The interfacial tension values and the molecular areas values for LH⁺, LOH⁻ forms of phosphatidylcholine were calculated. The assumed model was verified experimentally.     

Kinetics of electrode reaction coupled to ion transfer across the liquid/liquid interface

In the theoretical model it is assumed that a graphite disk electrode is covered by a thin film of solution of decamethylferrocene (dmfc) and some electrolyte CX in nitrobenzene and immersed in an aqueous solution of the electrolyte MX. Oxidation of dmfc is accompanied by the transfer of anion X ⁻ from water into nitrobenzene since it is also assumed that cations dmfc ⁺ and C ⁺ are insoluble in water and cation M ⁺ is insoluble in nitrobenzene. Kinetic parameters of the electrode reaction can be determined if the total potential difference across the nitrobenzene/water interface is maintained constant by adding the electrolytes CX and MX in concentrations which are much higher than the initial concentration of dmfc in nitrobenzene.     

The influence of chain length and electrolyte on the adsorption kinetics of cationic surfactants at the silica-aqueous solution interface

The equilibrium and kinetic aspects of the adsorption of alkyltrimethylammonium surfactants at the silica-aqueous solution interface have been investigated using optical reflectometry. The effect of added electrolyte, the length of the hydrocarbon chain, and of the counter- and co-ions has been elucidated. Increasing the length of the surfactant hydrocarbon chain results in the adsorption isotherm being displaced to lower concentrations. The adsorption kinetics indicate that above the cmc micelles are adsorbing directly to the surface and that as the chain length increases the hydrophobicity of the surfactant has a greater influence on the adsoption kinetics. While the addition of 10 mM KBr increases the CTAB maximal surface excess, there is no corresponding increase for the addition of 10 mM KCl to the CTAC system. This is attributed to the decreased binding efficiency of the chloride ion relative to the bromide ion. Variations in the co-ion species (Li, Na, K) have little effect on the adsorption rate and surface excess of CTAC up to a bulk electrolyte concentration of 10 mM. However, the rate of adsorption is increased in the presence of electrolyte. Slow secondary adsorption is seen over a range of concentrations for CTAC in the absence of electrolyte and importantly in the presence of LiCl; the origin of this slow adsorption is attributed to a structural barrier to adsorption.     

Electroneutrality coupling of electron transfer at an electrode surface and ion transfer across the interface between thin-layer of 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(perfluoroalkylsulfonyl)imide covering the electrode surface and an outer electrolyte solution.

The electrode reaction of decamethylferrocene (DMFc) dissolved in a thin layer of a room-temperature molten salt (RTMS), 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (C8mimC1C1N) or 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(pentafluoroethylsulfonyl)imide (C8mimC2C2N), on a self-assembled monolayer-modified gold electrode is coupled with the ion transfer across the interface between the RTMS and the outer aqueous solution (W) to give a voltammogram whose shape resembles a voltammogram of a simple one-electron transfer process. The electroneutrality of the RTMS layer during the oxidation of DMFc to decamethylferricenium ion is maintained by the concomitant dissolution of C8mim+ ion from the RTMS phase to the W phase, and the reduction of decamethylferricenium ion to DMFc is accompanied by the transfer of either C1C1N- or C2C2N- from RTMS to W. The midpoint potential of the voltammogram varies with the concentration of the salt in the aqueous phase, C8mimCl or LiCnCnN (n = 1 or 2), in a Nernstian manner, showing that the phase-boundary potential between the RTMS and the W is controlled by the partition of these ions. Although the phase-boundary potential across the RTMS / W interface is Nernstian with respect to the ions common to both phases at the equilibrium, the polarization at the RTMS / W interface under current flow distorts the shape of the voltammograms, resulting in a wider peak separation in the voltammogram.     

Self-assembly and heterogeneous electron transfer properties of metallo-octacarboxyphthalocyanine complexes on gold electrode

Electrochemical properties of redox-active self-assembled molecular films of novel metallo-octacarboxyphthalocyanine (MOCPc, M = Fe, Co and Mn) complexes integrated with cysteamine (Cys) monolayer on gold electrodes via amide bonds were investigated. X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the appearance of the various elements in their expected chemical environment upon immobilization of these species. The heterogeneous electron transfer properties of the Au-Cys-MOCPc molecular films using an outer-sphere ([Fe(CN)(6)](4-)/[Fe(CN)(6)](3-)) redox probe were studied using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electron transfer rate constant (k(app)) depends markedly on the central metal of the metallophthalocyanine cores (k(app): Co > Mn > Fe). A strong pH dependence of the electron transport of the Au-Cys-MOCPc molecular films was found. The surface pK(a) values of the MOCPc complexes were essentially the same (ca. 7.5). The differences in the electron transports and ionization constants are discussed. The electrodes are sensitive to the electrooxidation of epinephrine in physiological pH conditions, peak potential (E(p)/V vs. Ag|AgCl, saturated KCl) decreasing as FeOCPc (0.20 V) < MnOCPc (0.26 V) < CoOCPc (0.34 V).     

Theory of irreversible electrode reactions coupled to ion transfer across the liquid/liquid interface

Kinetically controlled electro-oxidation of a redox probe dissolved in the organic solvent, which is interposed between an electrode surface and an aqueous solution as a thin layer, is analyzed theoretically. It is demonstrated that the electrode reaction rate constant can be measured by the variation of scan rate in linear scan voltammetry both in the absence and in the superfluity of the supporting electrolyte dissolved in the film.Dedicated to Professor Dr. Alan M. Bond on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

The influence of cathodic pretreatment on the kinetics of hydroxide ion oxidation on polycrystalline gold electrode

The electrochemical oxidation of the hydroxide ion was studied on a gold rotating disc electrode (RDE), in aqueous NaOH solutions in the presence of lithium perchlorate as a supporting electrolyte. By potentiodynamic polarization within the limits −1.6 V and +1.6 V vs. SCE, it was demonstrated that the overvoltage of the OH⁻ ion oxidation reaction may be significantly reduced with a 5 min long delay at the vertex cathodic potential of −1.6 V. This finding was explained in terms of the type of gold oxide formed on the gold surface under different experimental conditions.     

A discussion on ion conductivity at cation exchange membrane/solution interface

By Gouy–Chapman–Stern–Grahame (CGSG) model, the electric double layer at ion exchange membrane/solution interface consists of two parts: the Stern layer and the diffusion layer. The ions in Stern layer are compacted and considered to be immobile. The relation of diffusion layer mean conductivity K with outer Stern layer potential φ₀, the boundary potential φ_δ and the electrolyte concentration C₀ is educed for symmetric electrolyte system. The results show that K is higher than that of the bulk solution and is greatly influenced by φ₀, φ_δ and C₀.The examination of PE01 cation exchange membrane/solution interface resistance R_e measured by ac impedance technique, shows that R_e value decreases quickly as the KCl electrolyte concentration rises. The effect of electrolyte concentration on the resistance of EDL can be explained by the electrical interactions between ions and charged groups of the membrane. Since the membrane/solution interface resistance is much higher than that of bulk solution, therefore, a further analysis based on the theory developed in this study proves that the ion transfer resistance R_e of membrane–solution interface predominantly occurs at Stern layer as a result of static electrical interaction.     

Solvent excess entropy at the electrode—solution interface

A model for water molecules in the double layer based upon information from gas-phase adsorption measurements has been used to calculate the configurational entropy of water in the double layer as a function of electric charge. The calculations agree well experimentally both in respect to dependence on charge and particularly in the position of the maximum entropy. The model can also be made consistent with the rest of the solvent excess entropy. The consistency between model and experiment favours models of capacitance humps which are not dependent upon water molecule orientation.     

Studying electron transfer reaction at the Au/n-decanethiol/aqueous solution of NaNO3 interface by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

The electrochemical behavior of the gold/electrolyte interface in aqueous 1 M NaNO₃ solutions in the presence of an organic monolayer of n-decanethiol (CH₃(CH₂)₉S) is studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in the frequency range of 10–10⁵ Hz and also by cyclic voltammetry. It is experimentally shown that in the potential interval from 0 to ?0.5 V (vs. SCE), the dense monolayer film decreases the measured current density approximately 40-fold. The measured capacitance falls down to 1–2 μF/cm². Based on the analysis of impedance characteristics acquired with the use of empirical equivalent circuits comprising ideal and nonideal analogues of electric circuits, the tentative estimates of the thickness of organic monolayers formed on Au electrodes with various roughness factors are obtained. Using the complex nonlinear regression (CNLS) method and a model of microarray electrode, the porous structure of adsorbed monolayers is revealed and the transition frequency of interfaces under study is determined. The degree of inhibition of the electron transfer across the Au/n-decanethiol/solution interface is determined by comparing the rate constants for the Ru[(NH₃)₆]^3+/2+ redox process on clean and modified electrodes. The acquired results are compared with available literature data.