A radiotracer technique for in situ adsorbate measurements on smooth electrode surfaces

A prototype radiotracer apparatus for measuring in situ adsorption onto smooth metal electrodes has been developed. In this method, a radiolabeled adsorbate on an electrode is detected by pressing the electrode against a glass scintillator detector at the bottom of an electrochemical cell. Equations which account for the backscattering factor have been developed to calculate the surface packing density, $\Gamma$, of the adsorbate. Under current optimum conditions (when the trapped solution counting rate is negligible), the detection limit for the method is 2.6 $\times$ 10$\sp{13}$ molecules/cm$\sp2$. A gap distance of 1.5 to 2.3 μm between the electrode and scintillator is routinely achieved. Adsorption results have been obtained which demonstrate the method's use for both strongly and weakly adsorbing systems on smooth polycrystalline and single crystal electrodes.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Chemistry

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Krauskopf, Elizabeth K.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Wieckowski, Andrzej

• Chemistry, Analytical

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1990 Krauskopf, Elizabeth K.

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

AAI9026234
(UMI)AAI9026234

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/21276