A model for the coupled transport of ions and electrons in redox conductive microcrystals

Coupled diffusion of ions and electrons in microcrystals of insertion compounds immobilized at an electrode surface is theoretically analysed by a lattice-gas model without interactions. The transport in the direction perpendicular to the electrode surface depends on Wagner's factor for electrons, while the transport parallel to the electrode depends on this factor for ions. The iso-concentration profiles may depend on the orientation of the particle on the electrode surface. Chronoamperometric responses of volume and surface redox reactions are calculated. Received: 5 June 1998 / Accepted: 22 August 1998     

Electrochemically induced transformations of ruthenium(III) trichloride microcrystals in salt solutions

Ruthenium (III) trichlorid solid crystals have been mechanically attached to gold surfaces and studied by cyclic electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance measurements in the presence of aqueous solutions of different concentrations containing M⁺Cl⁻, where M⁺=H⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺. The RuCl₃ and the complexes formed during the electrochemical transformations show two or more reduction and reoxidation pairs of waves, depending on the experimental conditions (concentration, scan rate, and potential range). The voltammetric peaks are shifted into the direction of higher potentials with increasing electrolyte concentrations except at very high concentrations when the peaks belong to the first reduction/reoxidation processes move oppositely. The mass change was reversible, during reduction mass increase, while during oxidation mass decrease occurred at medium electrolyte concentrations in two, more or less distinct steps. At high or low concentrations the mass excursions are more complex involving different mass increase/decrease regions as a function of potential which vary with the potential range of the measurements. The peak potentials and the electrochemical activity strongly depend on the nature of the cations and pH. It is related to the formation of complexes in different compositions. The mass change decreases with increasing electrolyte concentrations attesting the important role of the water activity and the transport of solvent molecules. It was concluded that in dilute solutions during the first reduction step M⁺ ions enter the surface layer. The strongly hydrated Li⁺ ions transfer water molecules into the microcrystals, while simultaneously with the incorporation of K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺ ions H₂O molecules leave the surface layer. The opposite transport of ions and solvent molecules occur during oxidation. In the course of further reduction the incorporation of all ions studied except that of Cs⁺ ions is accompanied with water sorption. The number of sorbed water molecules is proportional to the hydration number of these ions. A reaction scheme is proposed in which M⁺ _m-3[Ru^IIICl _m (H₂O) _n ]^3-m · xH₂O (m≥3) and [Ru^IIICl _m (H₂O) _n ]^3-m (Cl⁻)_3-m · xH₂O (m≤3) type complexes are reduced to the respective – or depending on the electrolyte concentration higher or lower – Ru(II)chloro complexes resulting in mixed valence compounds (phases). Taking into account the layered structure of RuCl₃ the electrochemical reduction can be explained as an intercalation reaction in that mixed valence intercalation phases with a general formula M _x ⁺(H₂O) _y [RuCl₃] ^x− are formed from RuCl₃·x H₂O. The reduction/reoxidation waves are related to the redox transformations of Ru(III) to Ru(II) sites, while the composition of the polynuclear complexes and the structure of microcrystals change. Presented at the 4th Baltic Conference on Electrochemistry, Greifswald, March 13.−16., 2005.     

A model of reaction front propagation in crystals

A spatio-temporal model of anisotropic propagation of the dehydration front in Na₃P₃O₉ · 6H₂O single-crystals is discussed. It is based on the assumption that dehydration proceeds as a periodic displacement of the reaction front from one reacting elementary block to another, and that experimentally fixed dehydration patterns are composed of a multitude of elementary patterns having the same shape. The model can be applied to other crystals.

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Zusammenfassung Ein Zeit- und Raummodell der anisotropischen Fortschreitung der Dehydratationsgrenzfläche in Na₃P₃O₉ · 6H₂O Einkristallen wird diskutiert. Das Modell ist auf einer Annahme begründet, dass die Wasserabspaltung als eine periodische Propagation der Reaktionsgrenzfläche von einem reagierendem Elementarblock zu anderem verläuft und dass die experimentell fixierte Entwässerungsfiguren aus einer Menge von Elementarfiguren von identischer Form zusammengestellt sind. Das Modell kann auf andere Kristallen verbreitet werden.

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- Na₃P₃O₉· 6₂. , , . .

     

Electrocarboxylation of benzyl halides through redox catalysis on the preparative scale

The electrocarboxylation of benzyl halides to the corresponding carboxylic acids through homogeneous charge-transfer catalysis was investigated both theoretically and experimentally to determine the influence of the operative parameters on the yield of the process and on the catalyst consumption. Theoretical considerations, based on fast kinetics of redox catalysis, were confirmed by the electrocarboxylation of 1-phenyl-1-chloroethane catalyzed by 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid dimethyl ester performed at a carbon cathode under different operative conditions. We obtained high yields of the target carboxylic acid and experienced a low catalyst consumption by operating with optimized [RX]bulk/[CO2]bulk and [RX]bulk/[catalyst] ratios.     

Formulation of a holistic model for the kinetics of steady state growth of porous anodic alumina films

A holistic model for the kinetics of steady state growth of porous anodic alumina films in oxalic acid, H₂C₂O₄, solution was developed not necessarily requiring the adoption of any ‘a priori’ mechanism of porous film growth. By this model the effect of anodising conditions on the transport numbers of Al³⁺ cations and O²⁻ anions across the barrier layer was revealed. The cation (anion) transport number decreased (increased) with current density, increased (decreased) with temperature and was unaffected by the concentration of electrolyte or pH. A complementary atomistic-ionic kinetic model was developed that fully justified these results and showed that the activation distances of Al³⁺ and O²⁻ transport are comparable, but the activation energy of Al³⁺ transport is lower mainly due to the much smaller size of Al³⁺. The validity of the model was tested on the basis of SEM observations, while structural features and the rate of pore wall dissolution were determined.     

Cooperative photochemical reaction mechanism of femtosecond laser-induced photocoloration in spirooxazine microcrystals.

Microcrystalline powders of spirooxazine and spiropyran compounds do not show photocoloration under steady-state illumination, whereas they undergo photochromism on intense femtosecond laser-pulse excitation. We investigated the characteristic mechanism of the crystalline photochromism by studying the photocoloration of spironaphthooxazine (SNO) and its chloro-substituted derivative (Cl-SNO) with our femtosecond diffuse-reflectance spectroscopic system. In particular, femtosecond double-pulse excitation using 390+780-nm pulses and 390+390-nm pulses, with a variable time interval between the two pulses, was applied to reveal an intermediate species involved in the photocoloration. Although 780-nm excitation of an intermediate produced by 390-nm excitation did not lead to isomerization, the 390+390-nm excitation resulted in photocoloration. The yield for SNO decreased on increasing the interval from 40 ps to 5 ns, while that for Cl-SNO was constant. The photocoloration mechanism in the crystalline phase is considered from the viewpoint of the time-dependent density of short-lived transient species, and it is concluded that cooperative interactions of excited states and nonplanar open forms play an important role in femtosecond laser-induced photochromism in these crystals.     

Thermodynamic stability of AuSe at temperature from (400 to 700) K by a solid state galvanic cell

The numerical values on the standard thermodynamic functions of AuSe were determined by the electromotive force (EMF) method in a solid-state galvanic cell with a superionic conductor AgI as the solid electrolyte. According to the experimental data on the EMF vs. temperature, the analytical equations for Gibbs free energy, enthalpy and entropy were obtained for the single stable polymorphic form of AuSe. The temperature-dependent relationships of Gibbs free energy of formation of AuSe and the standard thermodynamic functions of compounds within the temperature range (400 to 700) K were also evaluated. No α–β transformation was identified in the gold saturation and β-form is a metastable modification of AuSe.     

A pentaporphyrin as a switching device activated by proton and redox stimuli.

A new pentaporphyrin array, constituted by a peptidic backbone and lateral chains with two free-base, one Mg(II), and two Zn(II) porphyrins, has been synthesized. The electrochemical and photophysical properties are not the mere superposition of those of its model compounds: slight shifts of the E(1/2) values and strong perturbation of both the Soret and Q-band absorption show substantial ground-state interactions among the component units, which take advantage of the rather flexible nature of the peptidic links. This multiporphyrin array, despite the flexible and nonconjugated nature of the peptidic spacers, plays the role of an antenna for visible light: an efficient photoinduced energy transfer takes place from the metalated porphyrin units to the free-base ones. Furthermore, the light emitted by the antenna can be: 1) tuned upon protonation of the free-base units, or 2) turned off by a redox input, since the formation of the Mg porphyrin radical cation, by either electrochemical or chemical methods, quenches the free-base porphyrin emission. Both quenching and tuning of the emission from the light-collecting center can be fully reverted by redox or chemical stimuli.     

Stepwise conversion of a single source precursor into crystalline AlN by transamination reaction

Ammonolysis of the monomeric, base-stabilized trisaminoalane Me₃N-Al[N(H)Dipp)]₃ (Dipp=2,6-ⁱPr₂-C₆H₃) yielded Al-N oligomers, which were characterized in detail by solid state NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ²⁷Al) and TGA/DTA. Pyrolysis of as-prepared oligomers at different temperatures in an argon steam yielded carbon-containing black solids, whereas pyrolysis under a steady flow of NH₃ produced pure aluminum nitride (AlN). The role of the pyrolysis temperature and the influence of NH₃ on the formation of crystalline materials were investigated. As-prepared AlN was characterized by solid state NMR spectroscopy (¹⁵N, ²⁷Al), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). Theoretical calculations were performed in order to identify potential reaction intermediates.     

Thioether-mediated copper transport through liquid membranes with the aid of redox reaction

A thioether-mediated copper transport with the aid of redox reaction was studied in a polymer-supported liquid membrane and in a liquid surfactant membrane. A photochemical generation of the redox potential led to a photo-assisted copper separation and concentration system. Tetradentate thioethers 1 and 2 (L) selectively extracted copper ion into organic solution in the presence of a reducing agent, and served as a copper-selective carrier in a liquid membrane system. In the polymer-supported organic liquid membrane system, the thioether was dissolved in the membrane phase which separated the two aqueous solutions of different redox potentials. The copper ion was extracted into the membrane phase by formation of the [Cu^IL]⁺ ? X^? type complex on the reducing solution interface and permeated through the membrane toward the oxidizing solution interface, where the complex was decomposed to release the copper(II) species into the oxidizing aqueous solution. The nature of the system was studied in detail under various operational conditions (redox agents, pairing anion X^?, coexisting metals, etc.) and compared with that of the previously reported Bathocuproine-mediated system. The transport system was extended to the water-in-oil-in-water emulsion system (liquid surfactant membrane), and the selective concentration of copper ion from dilute external aqueous solutions into inner stripping solutions was achieved. Photo-induced redox reactions, triethanolamine—acriflavine—methyl viologen—hv and glucose—titanium oxide—hv, were successfully coupled to the systems, leading to a photo-assisted copper transport in the polymer-supported liquid membrane as well as in the liquid surfactant membrane. Tentative explanations were given on the nature of the membrane transport reactions.     

A simple model for a reaction surface

An analytical expression, which has some claim to be the simplest possible, is proposed for the potential governing a collinear reaction. It shows the desired qualitative features but, with only one available parameter, cannot fit a given surface accurately everywhere. The quality of fitting attainable is shown using the surface for the O + H₂ reaction.Because of the simple form of this expression, it is possible to make broad generalizations about such reactions. From a plausible assumption about the parameter value the energy barrier and the transition state geometry can be predicted. These barriers agree well with those suggested by Johnston and Parr for hydrogen transfer reactions.     

Characterization of strontium and barium manganates by abrasive stripping voltammetry

Abrasive stripping voltammetry is applied in order to characterize barium and strontium manganates-(V) and -(VI) in solid state phases. Voltammetric reduction peak potential values of KBaMnO₄, Ba₃(MnO₄)₂, Ba₃(MnO₄)_{2− x} (BO₃) _x (x=0.031(1)), Ba₅(MnO₄)₃OH, Ba₅(MnO₄)₃Cl, Sr₅(MnO₄)₃OH and BaMnO₄ are shown to be proportional to the corresponding average Mn-O distances, which were determined from X-ray powder diffractometric data through Rietveld refinement analyses. Received: 25 November 1997 / Accepted: 28 January 1998     

Microscopic in situ diffuse reflectance spectroelectrochemistry of solid state electrochemical reactions of particles immobilized on electrodes

An instrumental setup is described which allows electrochemical measurements to be performed with solid particles immobilized on the surface of a graphite electrode with in situ recording of diffuse reflectance spectra under an incident light microscope. The instrument used includes a special electrochemical cell and a microscope which is interfaced by a light␣guide to a transputer-integrated photodiode-array spectrometer allowing measurements ranging from 320 to 950 nm with a resolution of 3.2 nm/pixel and a PC-interfaced potentiostat. The ₀R₀ geometry of the optical arrangement and the use of crossed polarization filters for blocking specular reflectance makes it possible to use the Kubelka-Munk function for quantifying the optical measurements. The above instrument has been used for the study of the electrochromic system of solid silver octacyanomolybdate(IV/V) adjacent to a silver nitrate solution. The in situ diffuse reflec tance spectroelectrochemical measurements prove that the electrochemical reaction starts at the graphite/sample interface and then advances into the bulk of the sample towards the sample/electrolyte interface. The ratios Red:Ox determined by spectrometry and chronocoulometry as a function of electrode potentials are identical.     

The solid state electrochemistry of samarium (III) hexacyanoferrate (II)

A new electroactive polynuclear inorganic compound of a rare earth metal hexacyanoferrate, samarium hexacyanoferrate (SmHCF), was prepared chemically and characterized using techniques of FTIR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray powder diffraction, UV–Vis spectrometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) etc. The cyclic voltammetric behavior of SmHCF mechanically attached to the surface of graphite electrode was well defined and exhibited a pair of redox peaks with the formal potential of 180.5 mV (versus SCE) at a scan rate of 100 mV/s in 0.2-M NaCl solution and the redox peak currents increased linearly with the square root of the scan rates up to as high as 1,000 mV/s. The effects of the concentration of supporting electrolyte on the electrochemical characteristics of SmHCF and the transport behavior of K⁺, Na⁺ and Li⁺ counter-ions through the ion channel of SmHCF were studied by voltammetry.     

The overall adhesion-spreading process of liposomes on a mercury electrode is controlled by a mixed diffusion and reaction kinetics mechanism

Using high-resolution chronoamperometric measurements, with sampling each 1.333 μs, the initial step of the adhesion-spreading of liposomes on a mercury electrode was studied. These measurements allow getting a deeper insight into the first interaction of the liposomes with the mercury electrode, and they show that the overall adhesion-spreading process at different potentials is partially controlled by a fast but weak interaction equilibrium resulting in a mixed diffusion- and reaction-kinetics-controlled mechanism of the overall reaction. The authors dedicate this contribution to Keith Oldham on the occasion of his 80th birthday. Since my (FS) first meeting with Keith Oldham in Alan Bond’s laboratory in Australia in 1987, I had the privilege to get Keith’s unerring advice and have stimulating discussions with him for which I like to cordially thank him.     

The role of metal cations in the homogeneous phase redox reaction of a NADH model compound

The catalytic activity of magnesium cations in the charge transfer between 1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide (BNAH) and several aromatic compounds has been studied in acetonitrile by electrochemical techniques. Magnesium cations form complex compounds with both BNAH and the organic substrates studied. At the same time, magnesium forms ion-associates with negatively charged substrate molecules. Energetically, the effect of ion-pairing is much greater than the negative effect of complex formation. The rate of homogeneous phase reaction was also studied to show that the Michaelis-Menten type mechanism is operating.     

Preparation of Keggin‐type phosphomolybdate by a one‐step solid‐state reaction at room temperature and its application in protein adsorption

Keggin‐type phosphomolybdate ((C₁₉H₄₂N)₃PMo₁₂O₄₀) is prepared by a one‐step solid‐state reaction at room temperature and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and elemental analysis. The as‐prepared phosphomolybdate is demonstrated to be an efficient adsorbent for proteins. In this particular case, the selective adsorption of neutral protein hemoglobin is achieved. While under the same conditions virtually no adsorption of acidic and basic proteins, represented by bovine serum albumin and cytochrome c, are observed. A solid‐phase extraction procedure is developed for the selective isolation of hemoglobin. At pH 6, a sorption efficiency of 91.4% is achieved for 100 μg/mL hemoglobin in 1.0 mL solution by using 5.0 mg of the phosphomolybdate. The adsorption behavior of hemoglobin fits well with a Langmuir adsorption model, corresponding to a theoretical adsorption capacity of 55.86 mg/g. The retained hemoglobin could be readily recovered by using a 60 mmol/L imidazole solution at pH 7, giving rise to a recovery of 64.7%. The practical application of phosphomolybdate for protein adsorption is demonstrated by the selective isolation of hemoglobin from human whole blood followed by a sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis assay.     

The Solid State Electrochemistry of Dysprosium(III) Hexacyanoferrate(II)

A new electroactive polynuclear inorganic compound of rare earth metal hexacyanoferrate, dysprosium hexacyanoferrate (DyHCF), was prepared chemically and characterized using techniques of FTIR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), UV‐vis spectrometry and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) etc. The cyclic voltammetric behavior of DyHCF mechanically attached to the surface of graphite electrode was well defined and exhibited a pair of redox peaks with the formal potential of 217 mV (vs. SCE) at a scan rate of 100 mV/s in 0.2 M NaCl solution and the redox peak currents increased linearly with the square root of the scan rates.