Electrochemical processes on the copper electrode in water-ethanol solutions of copper sulfate

The system Cu/H₂O-C₂H₅OH-CuSO₄ was studied in a wide range of organic component concentrations by the impedance spectroscopy method. In the studied range of ethanol concentrations the diffusion of ions to an electrode is the limiting stage of the electrode process. An increase in the ethanol concentration results in a decrease in the double electrical layer capacity, which is caused by a change in the double electrical layer structure at the electrode-solution boundary.     

Determination of Ascorbic Acid by a Composite-Modified Platinum Electrode

Thin composite layers of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and poly(4-lithium styrene sulfonic acid) were formed on a platinum surface. The modified electrode platinum/polyethylenedioxythiophene:poly(4-lithium styrene sulfonic acid) was characterized by cyclic voltammetry, chronocoulometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results showed that the electrode may be used as a working electrode for electroanalytical methods. This electrode was used for the determination of ascorbic acid. The effect of composite layer thickness on the functionality of the electrode was characterized for ascorbic acid determination. Another investigated aspect was the process of ascorbic acid oxidation in solutions of various pH values. The results showed that the modified electrode was suitable for the determination of ascorbic acid in various electrolytes from pH 2 to 7.6 in the presence and absence of buffer solutions. The linear dynamic range of ascorbic acid concentrations corresponded to its concentrations in physiological fluids.     

普鲁士蓝膜修饰电极的电化学阻抗谱

测量了应用电化学方法制备的不同厚度的普鲁士蓝膜修饰电极的循环伏安行为与电化学阻抗谱.由所得到的循环伏安图讨论了普鲁士蓝修饰膜的氧化还原过程,并对相关的Nyquist图进行了解析,提出了相应的等效电路.在此基础上计算出较薄膜中普鲁士蓝/普鲁士白电化学反应的表观速率常数和表观扩散系数,讨论了膜厚度对电荷扩散的影响.当膜相对较薄时,电极过程主要由动力学过程控制;当膜达到一定厚度时,电荷在膜中的扩散速率受到限制,电极过程由动力学过程和电荷扩散过程共同控制,证实了文献报导的普鲁士蓝膜修饰电极为多层空间分布电荷传递模型.     

Kinetics of Adsorption of Neutral Molecules from a Thin Layer on a Rough Electrode

A theoretical model for the generalized finite adsorption impedance of a rough electrode is offered. A complex function of the roughness of the electrode surface is introduced and its frequency dependence is studied. The frequency characteristics of constituents of the adsorption impedance are shown to depend on the electrode roughness and the diffusion layer thickness. The frequency dependences of the phase angle and impedance components are found to considerably differ from the Frumkin–Melik-Gaikazyan result for an ideal smooth electrode.     

On stability of model electrocatalytic process with frumkin adsorption isotherm occurring on spherical electrode

The method of impedance spectroscopy was used for theoretical studies of the conditions of appearance of Hopf instability in a model electrochemical system with a preceding homogeneous chemical reaction in the Nernst diffusion layer and electrocatalytic reaction on the spherical electrode surface under potentiostatic conditions. It is shown within the suggested electrochemical instability model based on the potential-dependent adsorption/desorption that the effective rate of the preceding homogeneous chemical reaction may affect the system stability. The effect diminishes at a decrease in the electrode radius. The instability region grows at an increase in the thickness of the Nernst diffusion layer.     

Macrokinetics of electrolysis of dilute solutions in systems with a solid polymer electrolyte

A model of contact between an electrode and a MF-4SK membrane in sulfuric acid solutions is studied by the impedance method. It is shown that a layer of higher electrolyte concentration forms near the free electrode surface in heavily diluted solutions. The layer ensures participation of this surface in the electrode process. Electrical fields in the region of contact between the membrane and a current collector are calculated     

Li/LiClO4-碳酸丙烯酯体系的交流阻抗研究

结合扫描电子显微镜, 用交流阻抗法对Li/LiClO_4-碳酸丙烯酯锂电极体系的研究表明, 锂电极表面膜层的生长分三个阶段,相当于两个紧密层和一个疏松层。里紧密层由Li_2CO_3组成, 厚度约10 nm, 是Li~+导体和电子绝缘体, 电阻率为1.4×10~8 Ωcm, 对锂电极的充放电无不利影响。外紧密层由Li_2CO_3和有机物组成。疏松层是在外紧密层表面不断破裂和修复中形成的。它们都不利于锂电极的充放电。     

明胶层中的扩散和反应的动力学研究——(Ⅴ)油溶性成色剂的偶合反应的动力学

研究了明胶层中油溶性成色剂油珠的偶合反应动力学。通过实验和数值模拟的比较证明:在明胶层中油溶性成色剂(C-1)油珠与彩色显影剂CD-4的氧化产物的偶合反应主要是发生在油珠-明胶水溶液的界面上。偶合反应速度与油珠大小、比速率常数、成色剂在油相中的浓度以及QDI的扩散系数有关。并且得到C-1成色剂油珠的比速率常数、CD-4氧化产物的扩散系数以及QDI和生成的染料在明胶层中的时空分布。同时观察到温度对偶合反应动力学的影响。     

Influence of copper hexacyanoferrate film thickness on the electrochemical properties of self-assembled 3-mercaptopropyl gold electrode and application as a hydrazine sensor

A copper hexacyanoferrate film was obtained on a modified electrode prepared by self-assembly of 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane on a gold surface. The film thickness was controlled using a layer-by-layer technique to tune the electrocatalytic properties of the electrode. Two electrodes with different hexacyanoferrate film thicknesses were prepared via three immersions (AuS/CuHCF3) and six immersions (AuS/CuHCF6) of the film in the precursor solutions. Cyclic voltammetry data were obtained to determine the adequate film thickness. Scanning electron microscopy images showed a roughness increase due to the growth of the film thickness at the electrode surface. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed distinct behavior for the two electrodes prepared; while diffusion and charge transfer processes can be observed in both electrodes, an additional capacitive process at intermediary frequencies was observed for the AuS/CuHCF6 electrode. The charge transfer resistance (R _ct) for the AuS/CuHCF3 electrode (19.6 Ω cm²) was lower than for AuS/CuHCF6 (27.9 Ω cm²) due to the hexacyanoferrate film thickness, since the charge transfer process demands the simultaneous diffusion of K⁺ into the surface. Cyclic voltammetry was used to evaluate the application of the AuS/CuHCF3 electrode as an electrochemical sensor, revealing a linear correlation for hydrazine concentrations.     

Initiation and inhibition of dealloying of single crystalline Cu3Au (111) surfaces

Dealloying is widely utilized but is a dangerous corrosion process as well. Here we report an atomistic picture of the initial stages of electrochemical dealloying of the model system Cu(3)Au (111). We illuminate the structural and chemical changes during the early stages of dissolution up to the critical potential, using a unique combination of advanced surface-analytical tools. Scanning tunneling microscopy images indicate an interlayer exchange of topmost surface atoms during initial dealloying, while scanning Auger-electron microscopy data clearly reveal that the surface is fully covered by a continuous Au-rich layer at an early stage. Initiating below this first layer a transformation from stacking-reversed toward substrate-oriented Au surface structures is observed close to the critical potential. We further use the observed structural transitions as a reference process to evaluate the mechanistic changes induced by a thiol-based model-inhibition layer applied to suppress surface diffusion. The initial ultrathin Au layer is stabilized with the intermediate island morphology completely suppressed, along an anodic shift of the breakdown potential. Thiol-modification induces a peculiar surface microstructure in the form of microcracks exhibiting a nanoporous core. On the basis of the presented atomic-scale observations, an interlayer exchange mechanism next to pure surface diffusion becomes obvious which may be controlling the layer thickness and its later change in orientation.     

Reflectometric study of the adsorption of poly(vinyl imidazole) on a gold electrode, effects of pH, and applied potential

The adsorption-desorption behavior of poly(vinyl imidazole), a weak polybase (pH-dependent positive charge), on a gold electrode was investigated using optical fixed-angle reflectometry. Using an instrument comprising an impinging-jet system, the hydrodynamic conditions were well defined, making it possible to study the adsorption rate. Comparison between the actual adsorption rate and that of a purely diffusion-controlled process revealed the occurrence and the change of an electrostatic barrier in the adsorption process. The surface charge of the gold electrode was varied by means of an externally applied potential. The surface charge density was evaluated by separate electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The uptake and the adsorption rate were very sensitive to pH and electrode polarization. At pH 3, the adsorption of the fully charged polymer increased fairly regularly with cathodic polarization, whereas it remained at about 0.4 mg m(-2) in the anodic zone At pH 8, the adsorption of the uncharged polymer decreased with the negative charge of the electrode due to the more favorable adsorption of potassium ions on the charged electrode. Discrepancies in adsorption-desorption measurements taken while cycling the pH were due to an electrostatic adsorption barrier.     

Interface analysis of pure Sn,pure Ag and Sn?Ag binary alloys in H2SO4

The electrochemical and passivation properties of three selected binary xSn? Ag (x = 26, 50 and 70 wt%) alloys were studied by means of open‐circuit potential variation, potentiodynamic curves and a.c. impedance spectroscopy techniques.The specimens were polarized between ?1.0 and 0.5 V versus saturated calomel electrode (SCE) in naturally oxygenated sulfuric acidsolutions of different concentrations The experimental results indicate that i_corr increases with increasing either the acid concentration or the Sn content in the solid phase. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopyresults measured at the free corrosion potential confirm that alloy I (26Sn? Ag) characterizes by thicker passive film with higher protective ability compared to the other two samples richer in tin component. The exponential variation of the relative thickness of the surface film on any of the tested samples assumes an almost constant thickness for a thin barrier layer and a much larger outer porous layer that dominates the total film thickness on the alloy. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterisation of electrochromic viologen-modified nanocrystalline TiO2 films by frequency-resolved optical transmission spectroscopy

A nanocrystalline TiO₂ film electrode on conductive glass was modified with the viologen compound, bis(2-phosphonylethyl)-4,4^′-bipyridinium dichloride, to form an electrochromic layer. Electrochemical reduction of the modified electrode in 0.1 M LiClO₄ γ-butyrolactone solution is accompanied by a change of colour from transparent to blue. The process was studied by cyclic voltammetry, optical transmittance, electrochemical impedance and modulated transmittance at 370 and 630 nm. The study shows that the dynamic optical responses at the two wavelengths can be used to follow the coupled relaxation of the viologen and electron concentrations in the nanocrystalline layer.     

Diffusion current on a nonuniform electrode: Calculation with integral equations

Identity of mathematical problems concerning calculation of the distribution of reactants’ concentrations and the current near the surface of a nonuniform (strip) electrode and distribution of displacements and forces in the case of an elastic layer “antiplane” deformation caused by the punch action. Formulas for calculating the current at a strip electrode are derived for various ratios between the electrode width and the diffusion layer thickness by means of asymptotic methods designed for calculating problems of mechanical contact interactions. It is noted that calculations of the diffusion current for involved activity distributions at the electrode surface may benefit from asymptotic methods of mechanics of contact interactions.     

Conformal Surface Coatings to Enable High Volume Expansion Li‐Ion Anode Materials

An alumina surface coating is demonstrated to improve electrochemical performance of MoO₃ nanoparticles as high capacity/high‐volume expansion anodes for Li‐ion batteries. Thin, conformal surface coatings were grown using atomic layer deposition (ALD) that relies on self‐limiting surface reactions. ALD coatings were tested on both individual nanoparticles and prefabricated electrodes containing conductive additive and binder. The coated and non‐coated materials were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and galvanostatic charge/discharge cycling. Importantly, increased stability and capacity retention was only observed when the fully fabricated electrode was coated. The alumina layer both improves the adhesion of the entire electrode, during volume expansion/contraction and protects the nanoparticle surfaces. Coating the entire electrode also allows for an important carbothermal reduction process that occurs during electrode pre‐heat treatment. ALD is thus demonstrated as a novel and necessary method that may be employed to coat the tortuous network of a battery electrode.     

An impedance array biosensor for detection of multiple antibody-antigen interactions

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) combined with a gold electrode array was developed to detect multiple antibody-antigen interactions. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), as a model sample, was employed to evaluate the characteristics of the biosensor. The array was fabricated by immobilizing antibodies on the self-assembled molecules surface of the electrodes. The surface characteristics of the array during the binding process including the antibody-antigen conjugation and the sandwich complex with HRP-labeled antibody, as well as the precipitation layer, were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, respectively. A linear relationship between electron-transfer resistance and the concentrations of HBsAg ranged from 10 pg ml(-1) to 1 ng ml(-1) and the detection limit of 10 pg ml(-1) was obtained. 100 pg ml(-1) antigen samples, such as rat IgG, HBsAg and HBeAg, as well as the antigen mixture, were incubated with the relative antibody-modified electrodes on the array. No obvious cross-talk reaction was observed. All these results confirm the feasibility of applying electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to the electrode array.     

利用钛保护层在ITO电极上直接制备大面积的超薄氧化铝膜

通过磁控溅射并引入钛保护层, 利用在0.3 mol·L^-1硫酸中20 V电压下二次阳极氧化, 在氧化铟锡(ITO)导电玻璃衬底上直接制备了超薄(约140 nm, 为阳极氧化前Al厚度的一半)、大面积(约4 cm²)的多孔阳极氧化铝(AAO). 扫描电子显微镜结果表明生成的微孔与衬底垂直, 孔径和孔间距分别约为30和60 nm. 我们发现钛保护层的作用是提高了Al层的附着性并且防止ITO被腐蚀, 在此体系中钛不能被其它的金属如铬、金、银或铜代替. 紫外-可见光谱透过率结果显示在阳极氧化过程中Ti被氧化成为透明的TiO₂, 利用10-20 nm的钛保护层以及二次阳极氧化过程, 能够保证高透明度. 在ITO上直接制备的这种透明、有序的AAO纳米结构在光子学、光伏领域和纳米制备等方面具有潜在应用.     

Adsorption from a Layer of Finite Thickness on a Planar Electrode

Within the Nernst diffusion model, the effect the convection has on the adsorption at a planar electrode is studied for the case of a diffusion-controlled stage of adsorption and the behavior of the Frumkin–Melik–Gaikazyan finite adsorption impedance is analyzed. Allowing for the convection leads to new functional frequency dependences of constituents of this impedance at low frequencies, where the active constituent depends on the diffusion layer thickness more heavily than the capacitive one. During adsorption of neutral molecules from a layer of finite thickness, an additional relaxation time emerges in an electrochemical system, which results from a finite rate of motion of species in the near-electrode layer. Ignoring the convection may lead to erroneous interpretation of the adsorption mechanism.     

Glucose Monitoring by a Biosensor Based on Mercury Thin Film Electrodes

Abstract

Mercury film electrodes consist of a thin film of mercury deposited on an electrode surface (typically glassy carbon) by reduction of a mercury (II) salt in solution. The surface area/volume ratio is larger for the mercury film electrode, and this electrode is more stable than mercury drop electrode, which allows a faster stirring rate to be used in the deposition step. An enzyme electrode is described, based on glucose oxidase immobilized by gelatin and glutaraldehyde and held over a glassy carbon electrode coated with a thin mercury film. This biosensor responds fast and linearly to glucose in a wide concentration range, which is significant because monitoring of glucose levels is a critical component of diabetes care. Certain optimization and characterization studies were carried out. Average value, standard deviation (SD), and variation coefficient (CV) were calculated with the help of the repeatability studies. Finally, glucose content of human blood samples was monitored with the help of the biosensor presented.     

The Effect of Supporting Electrolyte Concentration on Zinc Electrodeposition Kinetics from Methimazole Solutions

The kinetic parameters of Zn²⁺ ion electroreduction in sodium perchlorate used as the supporting electrolyte on the mercury electrode in the presence of methimazole were determined using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and DC polarography. The two‐stage nature of this process was demonstrated. Both steps are catalysed by a methimazole. The size of the acceleration effect depends on the concentrations of methimazole and the supporting electrolyte. The acceleration of the electrode process involves the formation of active complexes between the depolarizer ions and methimazole on the electrode surface. These complexes facilitate the exchange of charge between the electrode and zinc ions during electroreduction process. The change of the hydrating sphere of the zinc ion is also important here. This in turn depends on its oxidation state and the concentration of the supporting electrolyte.