Electrochemistry of Nanostructured Carbon Electrodes in Room Temperature Ionic Liquids
Abstract
Fundamental research was conducted to better understand factors governing redox reactions and the interfacial organization at nanostructured boron-doped diamond (BDD) and nitrogen-incorporated tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C:N) thin-film electrodes in room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) and aqueous electrolyte solutions. The major goals of the research project were to increase knowledge about how the surface microstructure, surface chemistry and bulk electronic properties of these nanostructured carbon electrodes affect (i) heterogeneous electron-transfer rate constants for soluble redox systems and (ii) voltammetric background current and potential-dependent capacitance. Additionally, we took advantage of the excellent properties of these new electrodes (low background current, wide working potential window, resistance to fouling, etc.) and developed electrochemical detection assays for several environmental and biological analytes. The research was organized around three specific aims. Specific Aim 1 involved detailed characterization of the morphology, microstructure, doping level and chemical composition (bulk and surface) of the different carbon materials enabling correlations to be made with the electrochemical properties. Specific Aim 2 involved cyclic voltammetric studies of various soluble redox systems in RTILs at the two types of nanostructured carbon electrodes, as a function of the RTIL type and temperature, to determine heterogeneous electron-transfer rate constants and activation energies for electron transfer. Comparison studies were performed in aqueous electrolytes. Specific Aim 3 focused on using voltammetric methods and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to learn how the surface microstructure and chemistry affect potential-dependent capacitance at the two carbon electrode materials as a function of the RTIL type. Again, comparison studies were performed in aqueous electrolyte solutions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 28, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1074849
Entities
People
- Greg Swain
Organizations
- Michigan State University