Microgravimetric monitoring of transport of cations during redox reactions of indium(III) hexacyanoferrate(III,II): Radiotracer evidence for the flux of anions in the film

• Published in: Journal of electroanalytical chemistry (Lausanne, Switzerland) Vol. 452; no. 1; pp. 57 - 62
• Main Authors: Malik, M.A, Horanyi, G, Kulesza, P.J, Inzelt, G, Kertesz, V, Schmidt, R, Czirok, E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15-07-1998; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Chemistry; Electrochemistry; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Indium hexacyanoferrate; Microgravimetry; Potassium sorption; Radiotracer study; Study of interfaces; Sulfate penetration; Transport phenomena; Ultramicroelectrode; Voltammetry; Microgravimetry; Indium hexacyanoferrate; Sulfate penetration; Voltammetry; Potassium sorption; Ultramicroelectrode; Radiotracer study; Gold; Oxidation reduction; Sulfur 35; Ion transfer; Transition metal; Radioactive tracers; Experimental study; Nitric acid; Sulfuric acid; Transport process; Sorption; Potassium Sulfates; Potassium Nitrates; Indium III Hexacyanoferrates; Electrochemical reaction; Charge transfer; Disk electrode; Modified material; Quartz microbalance; Sulfur Isotopes
• ISSN: 1572-6657; 1873-2569
• DOI: 10.1016/S0022-0728(98)00095-3

We demonstrate here that, primarily, electrolyte cations but also, to some extent, anions are capable of penetrating indium hexacyanoferrate films during redox reactions. We find from electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance measurements that the electrolyte cation (K
+) undergoes sorption and desorption during the system's reduction and oxidation, respectively. The formal potential, which has been determined from the system's well-defined voltammetric peaks recorded with the use of an ultramicroelectrode, decreases ∼40 mV per decade of decreasing K
+ concentration. The latter value is lower than the 60 mV change expected for the involvement of a cation in the reaction mechanism according to the ideal Nernstian dependence. We also demonstrate, using 35-S labelled sulfate, that anion penetrates the reduced film and its concentration markedly increases during oxidation. Careful examination of cyclic voltammetric responses of the system shows that, in addition to the well-defined peaks, capacitance-like currents appear during oxidation. During reduction anion is largely expelled from the film. This complex ionic penetration and transport in indium hexacynoferrate may be explained in terms of formation of two forms: ‘soluble’, KIn
III[Fe
II(CN)
6], and ‘insoluble’ (‘normal’), In
III
4[Fe
II(CN)
6]
3, during the electrochemical growth or potential cycling of the films. These forms would require cations and anions, respectively, to provide charge balance during reactions. Regardless of the actual mechanism, penetration of anions cannot be neglected completely in the discussion of charging of indium hexacyanoferrate.