ELECTROCHEMICAL-BEHAVIOR OF POWER LAYER SPE MEMBRANE COMPOSITE ELECTRODES

The basic electrochemical behaviour of powder layer/SPE membrane compo site electrodes was investigated through the redox process of ferrocen e by voltammetry. The electrochemical reaction occurs at the interface between the powder layer and the SPE membrane. This kind of composite electrode that separates the diffusion of reactant from the process o f ionic transport can be considered as a special planar electrode. Aft er impregnation of the powder layer with Nafion solution, the composit e electrode shows thin layer electrochemical behaviour. The main merit s of this type of electrode are as follows. (1) The electrochemical ki netics of reactions involving gases or electroactive compounds slightl y soluble in aqueous solution can be studied without adding supporting electrolyte. (2) The electrochemical behaviour of various powder laye r/SPE membrane interface can easily be investigated without the limita tions of traditional preparation methods. In addition, this technique can also be applied to electroanalytical chemistry. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.