Solid electrochemistry

Before discussing the experimental results, which by themselves suggest a unique choice of the reference (zero) state of electrons in solid state electrochemistry, which is the same with the choice of Trasatti for aqueous electrochemistry,14 16 it is useful to discuss some of the similarities and differences between aqueous and solid electrochemistry (Fig. 7.3). 

In solid electrochemistry electrochemical (change transfer) reactions take place primarily at the three-phase-boundaries (tpb) metal-electrolyte-gas, e.g. ... 

DEFINITION AND PROPERTIES OF THE ABSOLUTE POTENTIAL SCALE IN SOLID ELECTROCHEMISTRY... 

Figure 7.12. Relationship between the standard hydrogen electrode (she) scale of aqueous electrochemistry, the physical absolute electrode scale, the standard hydrogen electrode (she) scale of solid electrochemistry and the corresponding standard oxygen electrode (soe) scale of solid state (YSZ) electrochemistry.21 Reprinted with permission from The Electrochemical Society.

Electrochemistry is concerned with the study of the interface between an electronic and an ionic conductor and, traditionally, has concentrated on (i) the nature of the ionic conductor, which is usually an aqueous or (more rarely) a non-aqueous solution, polymer or superionic solid containing mobile ions (ii) the structure of the electrified interface that fonns on inunersion of an electronic conductor into an ionic conductor and (iii) the electron-transfer processes that can take place at this interface and the limitations on the rates of such processes. 

One of the most important advances in electrochemistry in the last decade was tlie application of STM and AFM to structural problems at the electrified solid/liquid interface [108. 109]. Sonnenfield and Hansma [110] were the first to use STM to study a surface innnersed in a liquid, thus extending STM beyond the gas/solid interfaces without a significant loss in resolution. In situ local-probe investigations at solid/liquid interfaces can be perfomied under electrochemical conditions if both phases are electronic and ionic conducting and this... 

For tire purjDoses of tliis review, a nanocrystal is defined as a crystalline solid, witli feature sizes less tlian 50 nm, recovered as a purified powder from a chemical syntliesis and subsequently dissolved as isolated particles in an appropriate solvent. In many ways, tliis definition shares many features witli tliat of colloids , defined broadly as a particle tliat has some linear dimension between 1 and 1000 nm [1] tire study of nanocrystals may be drought of as a new kind of colloid science [2]. Much of die early work on colloidal metal and semiconductor particles stemmed from die photophysics and applications to electrochemistry. (See, for example, die excellent review by Henglein [3].) However, the definition of a colloid does not include any specification of die internal stmcture of die particle. Therein lies die cmcial distinction in nanocrystals, die interior crystalline stmcture is of overwhelming importance. Nanocrystals must tmly be little solids (figure C2.17.1), widi internal stmctures equivalent (or nearly equivalent) to drat of bulk materials. This is a necessary condition if size-dependent studies of nanometre-sized objects are to offer any insight into die behaviour of bulk solids. 

In contrast to many other surface analytical techniques, like e. g. scanning electron microscopy, AFM does not require vacuum. Therefore, it can be operated under ambient conditions which enables direct observation of processes at solid-gas and solid-liquid interfaces. The latter can be accomplished by means of a liquid cell which is schematically shown in Fig. 5.6. The cell is formed by the sample at the bottom, a glass cover - holding the cantilever - at the top, and a silicone o-ring seal between. Studies with such a liquid cell can also be performed under potential control which opens up valuable opportunities for electrochemistry [5.11, 5.12]. Moreover, imaging under liquids opens up the possibility to protect sensitive surfaces by in-situ preparation and imaging under an inert fluid [5.13]. 

Electrochemistry plays an important role in the large domain of. sensors, especially for gas analysis, that turn the chemical concentration of a gas component into an electrical signal. The longest-established sensors of this kind depend on superionic conductors, notably stabilised zirconia. The most important is probably the oxygen sensor used for analysing automobile exhaust gases (Figure 11.10). The space on one side of a solid-oxide electrolyte is filled with the gas to be analysed, the other side... 

In this chapter piezoelectric crystals and polymers ferroelectric and ferromagnetic solids resistance of metals shock-induced electrical polarization electrochemistry elastic-plastic physical properties. 

In electrochemistry it is customary to multiply each of those quantities by Avogadro s constant and, when a few additional ions enter the already saturated solution, to speak of the entropy of solution per mole. Let the entropy of one mole of the crystalline solid be denoted by Scr and let Si and S2 denote, respectively, the entropy of the solution before, and after, the entry of the additional solute, both expressed in calories per mole. The total initial entropy is obviously (S + Si) and the final entropy is St. The difference between the final and the initial entropy is by definition AS,at. 

This section gives a brief overview of the structure of nickel hydroxide battery electrodes and a more detailed review of the solid-state chemistry and electrochemistry of the electrode materials. Emphasis is on work done since 1989. 

H. Rickert, Solid State Electrochemistry An Introduction, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1982. 

The limited anodic potential range of mercury electrodes has precluded their utility for monitoring oxidizable compounds. Accordingly, solid electrodes with extended anodic potential windows have attracted considerable analytical interest. Of the many different solid materials that can be used as working electrodes, the most often used are carbon, platinum, and gold. Silver, nickel, and copper can also be used for specific applications. A monograph by Adams (17) is highly recommended for a detailed description of solid-electrode electrochemistry. 

R.N. Adams, Electrochemistry at Solid Electrodes, Marcel Dekker, New York, 1969. 

Various in situ and ex situ methods have been used to determine the real surface area of solid electrodes. Each method10,15 32 67,73 74 218 is applicable to a limited number of electrochemical systems so that a universal method of surface area measurement is not available at present. On the other hand, a number of methods used in electrochemistry are not well founded from a physical point of view, and some of them are definitely questionable. In situ and ex situ methods used in electrochemistry have been recently reviewed by Trasatti and Petrii.73 A number of methods are listed in Table 3. 

Due to the interdisciplinary nature of electrochemical promotion, which involves elementary but important concepts from at least five different fields (catalysis, surface science, electrochemistry, solid state ionics, chemical reaction engineering) we have structured the book in such a way to make it possible for readers from all the above fields to follow the entire book. 

Chapter 7 introduces the concept of absolute electrode potential in solid state electrochemistry. This concept has some important implications not only in solid state electrochemistry but also, potentially, in heterogeneous catalysis of supported catalysts. 

D. Tsiplakides, and C.G. Vayenas, Electrode work function and absolute potential scale in solid state electrochemistry, J. Electrochem. Soc. 148(5), E189-E202 (2001). 

C.G. Vayenas, On the work function of the gas exposed electrode surfaces in solid state electrochemistry, J. Electroanal. Chem. 486, 85-90 (2000). 

There is an important point to be made regarding UWr vs t transients such as the ones shown in Fig. 4.15 when using Na+ conductors as the promoter donor. As will be discussed in the next section (4.4) there is in solid state electrochemistry an one-to-one correspondence between potential of the working electrode (UWr) and work function (O) of the gas exposed (catalytically active) surface of the working electrode (eAUwR=AO, eq. 4.30). Consequently the UWr vs t transients are also AO vs t transients. 

The implications of Equation (4.30) for solid state electrochemistry and electrochemical promotion in particular can hardly be overemphasized It shows that solid electrolyte cells are both work function probes and work function controllers for their gas-exposed electrode surfaces. 

P.J. Gellings, and HJ.M. Bouwmeester, eds., The CRCHandbook of Solid State Electrochemistry, CRC Press, Boca Raton (1997). 

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