Column flow coulometry

Recently flow coulometry, which uses a column electrode for rapid electrolysis, has become popular [21]. In this method, as shown in Fig. 5.34, the cell has a columnar working electrode that is filled with a carbon fiber or carbon powder and the solution of the supporting electrolyte flows through it. If an analyte is injected from the sample inlet, it enters the column and is quantitatively electrolyzed during its stay in the column. From the peak that appears in the current-time curve, the quantity of electricity is measured to determine the analyte. Because the electrolysis in the column electrode is complete in less than 1 s, this method is convenient for repeated measurements and is often used in coulometric detection in liquid chromatography and flow injection analyses. Besides its use in flow coulometry, the column electrode is very versatile. This versatility can be expanded even more by connecting two (or more) of the column electrodes in series or in parallel. The column electrodes are used in a variety of ways in non-aqueous solutions, as described in Chapter 9. 

Electrochemical Detectors Another common group of HPLC detectors are those based on electrochemical measurements such as amperometry, voltammetry, coulometry, and conductivity. Figure 12.29b, for example, shows an amperometric flow cell. Effluent from the column passes over the working electrode, which is held at a potential favorable for oxidizing or reducing the analytes. The potential is held constant relative to a downstream reference electrode, and the current flowing between the working and auxiliary electrodes is measured. Detection limits for amperometric electrochemical detection are 10 pg-1 ng of injected analyte. 

Three-dimensional electrode — This term is used for electrodes in which the electrode-solution interface is expanded in a three-dimensional way, i.e., the - electrode possesses a significantly increased surface area due to nonplanarity, so that it can be housed in a smaller volume. This can be achieved by constructing corrugated electrodes, reticulated electrodes, -> packed bed electrodes (see also - column electrodes), -> carbon felt electrodes, or fluidized bed electrodes. Three-dimensional electrodes are important for achieving high conversion rates in electrochemical reactions. Therefore they are especially important in technical electrochemistry, wastewater cleaning, and flow-through analytical techniques, e.g., - coulometry in flow systems. However, the - IR-drop within three-dimensional electrodes is an inherent problem. 

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