Construção de célula eletroquímica para observação de amostras in situ em estereomicroscópio

The electrochemical study of glass like tungsten oxide derivatives requires the construction of special electrodes due to the fact that these glasses are not conductive. Electrodes modified with WO3 change their color when submitted to some potential perturbation. The color change of the electrochromic materials was observed in situ by coupling an electrochemical cell to a stereomicroscope. The constructed cell is versatile and may represent a great contribution to the electrochemical studies of materials, especially in the systems where it is interest to observe the working electrode surface during the electrochemical experiment.

Desenvolvimento, caracterização e aplicação eletroanalítica de um compósito fluido de adesivo epóxi, grafite e ciclo-hexanona

A fluid conducting composite material prepared from graphite powder, commercial epoxy resin Araldite®, and cyclohexanone has been developed. The composition was optimized considering the mechanical properties as conductivity and adhesiveness using response surface methodology. This work employed cyclic voltammetry and amperometry to investigate the characteristics of such composite electrodes without and with the insertion of Prussian blue in the electrode body (bulk modified electrode). The composite electrodes were also successfully used for the amperometric detection of hydrogen peroxide at 0.0V vs Ag/AgCl.

Hidróxido de níquel suportado em carbono: um catalisador de baixo custo para a eletro-oxidação de alcoóis em meio alcalino

The present manuscript shows the synthesis of nickel hydroxide supported in carbon (Ni(OH)2/C) as a alternative material for catalytic alcohol oxidation in alkaline medium. The Ni(OH)2/C was synthesized in different percentage using a sonic bath. No current densities variation during successive cyclic voltammetry experiments was observed. The Ni(OH)2/C electrodes exhibit a potent and persistent electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of different alcohols. In addition, alcohols electooxidation occurs in less positive potential compared with noble metal catalyst.

A comparison of electrodeposited Ti/β-PbO2 and Ti-Pt/β-PbO2 anodes in the electrochemical degradation of the direct yellow 86 dye

The electrochemical performance of electrodeposited Ti/β-PbO2 and Ti-Pt/β-PbO2 anodes was galvanostatically evaluated (batch mode, 50 mA cm-2) to degrade the Direct Yellow 86 dye (100 or 200 mg L-1 in 0.1 mol L-1 Na2SO4 + 1.5 g L-1 NaCl), investigating the effect of pH and temperature. Similar results were obtained for both electrodes and the best conditions for removal of color and chemical oxygen demand are pH 7 and 40 °C, when 90% decolorization is attained by passing a charge of only ~0.13 A h L-1 and total mineralization is achieved with expenditure of ~5 kW h m-3.

Eletrodos modificados por hidróxido de níquel: um estudo de revisão sobre suas propriedades estruturais e eletroquímicas visando suas aplicações em eletrocatálise, eletrocromismo e baterias secundárias

The present review paper describes the main features of nickel hydroxide modified electrodes covering its structural and electrochemical behavior and the newest advances promoted by nanostructured architectures. Important aspects such as synthetic procedures and characterization techniques such as X-Ray diffraction, Raman and Infrared spectroscopy, Electronic Microscopy and many others are detailed herein. The most important aspect concerning nickel hydroxide is related to its great versatility covering different fields in electrochemical-based devices such as batteries, electrocatalytic systems and electrochromic electrodes, the fundamental issues of these devices are also commented. Finally, some of the newest advances achieved in each field by the incorporation of nanomaterials will be shown.

Avaliação do processo eletrolítico em corrente alternada no tratamento de água de produção

The main objective was to study the treatment of wastewater generated by the oil industry. This work consisted of tests of electroflocculation with alternate current (AC), and chemical coagulation. The removal efficiencies of organic load were evaluated by the removal of oils and greases, color and turbidity. The parameters investigated were the change in alternate current frequency, the initial pH, the distance between electrodes, the applied potential and time lapse. From the results, one may conclude that the electroflocculation process is potential applicability to the effluent studied, while chemical coagulation was not successful.

Desenvolvimento de processo de produção de conjuntos eletrodo-membrana-eletrodo para células a combustível baseadas no uso de membrana polimérica condutora de prótons (PEMFC) por impressão a tela

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) requires membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) to generate electrical energy from hydrogen and oxygen. In this study a MEA production process by sieve printing and an ink composition were developed to produce catalyst layers of MEAs. The deposition of the exact catalyst content was possible on cathodes and anodes with only one print step. The optimal ink developed shown viscosity of 2.75 Pa s, density 1.27 g cm-3, total solid content of 33.76 % and tack of 92 U.T. The electrodes prepared in only one printing step showed higher performance than those prepared in several steps.

Determinação da densidade de corrente de corrosão em meios de baixa condutividade: uso de microeletrodos para minimizar a queda ôhmica

The gravimetric and electrochemical tests are the most common techniques used in determining the corrosion rate. However, the use of electrochemical polarization is limited to electrolytes with sufficient conductivity for which Tafel curves are linear. In this study, we investigated a technique in which working microelectrodes of AISI 1020 steel were used to obtain the Tafel curves in diesel oil. The strategy was to reduce the electrode area and hence the ohmic drop. The diameter of the microelectrode was reduced to a value where the compensation of the Tafel curves became unnecessary. The results showed that for electrodes with diameters below 50 μm, the ohmic drop tends to a minimum and independent of the microelectrode diameter.

Voltametria de Pulso Diferencial (VPD) em estado sólido de manchas de Cromatografia de Camada Delgada (CCD): um novo método de análise para fitoativos antioxidantes

A new electroanalytical method coupling TLC-DPV in solid state was developed for quantitative determination of phytoantioxidants with medicinal purpose, e.g. rosmarinic acid (RA) in samples of phytopharmaceuticals, e.g. rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.). The method showed to be feasible, presenting linearity in concentrations ranging from 0.694 x 10-3 to 9.526 x 10-3 mol L-1 (r = 0.9945), good sensibility, selectivity, reproducibility, repeatability, agility and affordable cost. The concentrations of RA in different extracts of rosemary ranged from 0.05 to 0.52 (% w/w), presenting high recovery levels when compared to HPLC.

Utilização de eletrodos sólidos de amálgama para a determinação analítica de compostos orgânicos e inorgânicos

This review reports the use of solid amalgam electrodes in the electroanalytical determination of organic and inorganic compounds. The different types of amalgam electrodes are presented, and attention is paid to solid amalgam electrode, and here is presented details about the pre-treatment for activation and renovation and also possible modifications in its surface. The wide potential range, higher signal-to-noise ratio, mechanical stability enabling their application in flowing systems, and principally their resistance toward passivation, indicate that the solid amalgam electrodes are environmentally friendly alternatives to mercury electrodes, without loss in the sensitivity and reproducibility in voltammetric responses.

Incorporação de líquidos iônicos e nanopartículas metálicas na construção de sensores eletroquímicos

The most relevant advances on analytical applications of ionic liquids (IL) as binder in the construction of electrochemical sensors and biosensors based on carbon paste are presented. This new class of solvents - the IL - has received great attention in electroanalytical researches due to the excellent physical and chemical properties of these materials, such as high conductivity, low toxicity, good stability, large electrochemical window and catalytic ability. Recently, the interest in electrodes modified with IL, especially when combined with metallic nanoparticles, has increased expressively due to improve the sensitivity and others advantages discussed in this review.

Evaluation of the corrosion behavior of the al-356 alloy in NaCl solutions

Cellular metals are a new class of materials with promising applications and a unique combination of physical, chemical and mechanical properties. The Al-356 alloy is used to manufacture metal foams from NaCl preforms. Despite the usefulness of these materials, their performance may be affected by corrosion due to residual salt. This paper reports the study of the behavior of the Al-356 alloy in chloride solutions by electrochemical techniques in rotating disk electrode. The cathodic reaction of oxygen reduction is the crucial stage of process dissolution of the material, which shows that is the oxygen transport which limits the corrosion process.

Influência do eletrólito na eletrodeposição de nanopartículas de Cu sobre eletrodo de diamante dopado com boro

This paper presents the electrolyte influence on deposition and dissolution processes of Cu nanoparticles on boron doped diamond electrodes (BDD). Morphological, structural and electrochemical analysis showed BDD films with good reproducibility, quality and reversible in a specific redox system. Electrodeposition of Cu nanoparticles on DDB electrodes in three different solutions was influenced by pH and ionic strength of the electrolytic medium. Analyzing the process as function of the scan rate, it was verified a better efficiency in 0,5 mol L-1 Na2SO4 solution. Under the influence of the pH and ionic strength, Cu nanoparticles on DDB may be obtained with different morphologies and it was important for defining the desired properties.

Avaliação de metodologia eletroquímica no monitoramento da conversão de óleo de girassol em biodiesel

The development of analytical procedures to evaluate transesterification process is still a challenge in biodiesel production. Then, this paper shows an electroanalytical methodology to transesterification process assessment, proposing the application of nanostructured TiO2 electrodes. The results showed, for sunflower oil - methanol reaction catalyzed by KOH, a reduction peak in - 1050 mV and the gradual appearance of a second peak at - 1160 mV. This peak was observed as originated by the transesterification process and is probably related to intermediates. By measuring the intensity of this peak a kinetic profile was determined, showing that the conversion is almost finished in 2 h.

Tratamento do efluente do biodiesel utilizando a eletrocoagulação/flotação: investigação dos parâmetros operacionais

Electrocoagulation/flotation process was applied to treat biodiesel wastewater using aluminium electrodes. Firstly, a literature survey was conducted to choose the process variables and then, operational parameters including initial pH, electrode distance and reaction time were tested. Experimental results showed the best parameter that can be used in a factorial design for further studies. The results indicate that electrocoagulation/flotation is very efficient to reduce oil and grease, the effluent was very clear after treatment and small amount of sludge was produced.