Abstract
Electrochemical processes in highly viscous media such as poly(ethylene glycol) (herein PEG200) are interesting for energy-conversion applications, but problematic due to slow diffusion causing low current densities. Here, a hydrodynamic microgap experiment based on Couette flow is introduced for an inlaid disc electrode approaching a rotating drum. Steady-state voltammetric currents are independent of viscosity and readily increased by two orders of magnitude with further potential to go to higher rotation rates and nanogaps. A quantitative theory is derived for the prediction of currents under high-shear Couette flow conditions and generalised for different electrode shapes. The 1,1′-ferrocene dimethanol redox probe in PEG200 (D=1.4×10−11 m2 s−1) is employed and data are compared with 1) a Levich-type equation expressing the diffusion–convection-limited current and 2) a COMSOL simulation model providing a potential-dependent current trace.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 2789-2796 |
Journal | ChemPhysChem |
Volume | 16 |
Issue number | 13 |
Early online date | 21 Jul 2015 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 14 Sept 2015 |
Keywords
- Electrodeposition
- Ferrocene
- Green solvent
- Polyethylene glycol
- Voltammetry