Electron Conduction in Organic Solutions
Abstract
A voltammetric study of electron conduction in nitrobenzene(NB)/ toluene solutions is presented. Analysis of steady-state mass transport limited currents corresponding to the first and second one-electron reductions of NB (to the radical anion, NB-, and dianion, NB-2, respectively) indicates that electrogeneration of NB-2 is suppressed to negligible values in concentrated NB solutions as a result of the increased flux of electrons away from the electrode surface via the self-exchange electron-transfer mechanism. Electrical conduction in nonmetallic liquids occurs by diffusion, migration, and convection of charges species. As early as 1966, it was proposed by Levich that in addition to these mechanisms, self-exchange electron-transfer reactions involving a reversible electroactive couple, can enhance the apparent transport of A and A- in a potential gradient. This type of charge transport has been the focus of numerous investigations during the past decade concerned with thin films containing fixed-site redox centers. In these systems, transport occuring by electron hopping has been shown to be equivalent to diffusion migration of the immobilized redox centers with an apparent diffusivity.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 10, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA242500
Entities
People
- Henry S. White
- John D. Norton
- Scott A. Anderson
Organizations
- University of Minnesota