Analysis Solutions for Electrochemistry

Until recently, analysis of electrochemical processes was limited to electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), linear polarisation resistance (LPR) and remote, post process chemical measurements.  Traditional measurements, albeit useful, are limited in their species specificity and measurement speed.

To gain real-time measurements of both dissolved and evolved gases from an electrochemical process, Differential Electrochemical Mass Spectrometry (DEMS) was developed. The DEMs technique provides quantifiable insights into cell chemistry by integrating a mass spectrometer system with a customised nanoporous electrode.  This allows dissolved species from the electrochemical reaction to be analysed in real time, and these can be correlated to electrode potential and other external parameters such as time.  Data gained can be directly correlated to the electrodes’s faradaic current, enabling the determination of key parameters hydrogen evolution and CO2 production.

DEMS allows for in-situ mass resolved determination of reaction intermediates, gaseous or volatile electrochemical reactants, and products in real-time. A typical DEMS system comprises an electrochemical half-cell, membrane interface, and a vacuum system that includes a quadrupole mass spectrometer

DEMS systems are used in many research areas, including:

• Hydrogen Oxidation Reaction
• Oxygen Reduction Reaction
• CO₂ Reduction
• Methanol / Formic Acid Oxidation
• Ethanol Oxidation
• Ammonia/Hydrazine Oxidation
• Cathode Effects
• Battery cycling
• Electrolyte reactions in batteries
• Other Fuel Cells (Borohydride, DMFC)
• Mechanistic Investigations on Methanol Oxidation
• Electrochemical Oxidation of Organics in (Waste-)Water treatment
• Electrochemical Oxidation of CO

Research from these areas is crucial to many industrial applications such as Fuel cell development, Hydrogen storage, water treatment & energy storage.

Mass Spectrometry

Mass spectrometry offers a number of advantages over other, remote, analysis techniques, such as Gas Chromatography or Infrared Spectroscopy.  Such as real-time measurements and wide dynamic range.

A semi-permeable, customised membrane separates the mass spectrometer inlet from the electrochemical cell. Gas and vapour products pass through the membrane to be analysed by the mass spectrometry whilst the electrolyte is held in the cell.

The HPR-40 DEMS system is flexible in its configuration and can be customised to the research that the end-user wishes to carry out.  Two electrochemical cells are offered, along with options for direct membrane inlets and micro flow capillaries for headspace analysis.