Conducting diamond electrodes: Applications in electrochemistry

Conducting diamond electrodes provide unique advantages for electrochemistr y: wide potential window of water stability, low background current density , and exceptional chemical and structural stability. In this paper we discu ss some of the current problems and opportunities in this emerging field. A wide range of conducting diamond electrodes, from lightly doped semiconduc tors to heavily doped semimetals, are used in electrochemistry. The factors that influence the achievable doping level in diamond and the relationship between electrochemical measurements and vacuum field emission are discuss ed. Although diamond electrodes are relatively inert compared to other carb on electrodes, they are not completely inert, and examples of their reactiv ity are given. An example of an electrochemical analysis, polyalkylene glyc ol in CuSO4/H2SO4 plating solutions, that is enabled by diamond electrodes is described.