Dual Electrode Electrolysis (DEBE)

Last Updated: 4/25/19 by Tim Paschkewitz

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1Technique Overview

Dual Electrode Electrolysis (DEBE) is both a galvanostatic and potentiostatic method, depending on user choice of electrode mode. The background and theory of this method is closely related to its single electrode version, Bulk Electrolysis (BE), however by employing a bipotentiostat, two working electrodes undergo an electrolysis simultaneously.

Many techniques used in electroanalytical chemistry affect change within a chemical system with small surface area to volume ratios. For example, it is common to conduct stationary cyclic voltammetry (CV) at a 3 mm OD working electrode in 100 mL of solution containing 1 mM electroactive species. In such a system, CV can be performed for long periods of time without appreciably changing the bulk concentration of analyte (oxidized and or reduced species), assuming a nominal 1 mA/cm² current density. In this case, <1 C passes and the bulk concentration of electroactive species does not appreciably change (~250 mC).

In contrast to this typical setup, Dual Electrode Electrolysis (DEBE) is conducted with large surface area to volume ratios and often convective stirring for enhanced mass transport. The anticipated outcome is to significantly change bulk solution properties during the course of the electrolysis. Unlike typical CV experiments, DEBE working and counter electrodes are 2 - 4 orders of magnitude larger in area; thus, for a larger working electrode with A = 100 cm² and the same 1 mA/cm² current density, >350 C passes through the cell. In this case, all electroactive species in the cell are converted to their reduced form in a short period of time. Often, this is the goal to exhaustively convert analyte from reduced to oxidized form, and vice-versa.

DEBE is often performed in a separated cell, consisting of either two or three chambers, each separated by a porous material like sintered glass disks (frits) or polymer exchange membranes (e.g., Nafion®). The working (WK1 and WK2 are typically separated) and reference electrodes are often placed into one chamber of a separated cell and the counter electrode in another. The working electrode chambers should be stirred to provide maximum mass transport to the electrode during electrolysis. Some electrolysis cells separate each electrode into their own separate chamber. Both the working and counter electrodes should have a large surface area (typically platinum meshes or high surface area carbon meshes, foam, felts and vitreous carbon materials) to increase current (charge) and reduce time to reach exhaustive electrolysis.

Bulk electrolysis can be operated with four different electrode modes:

controlled potential (POT), where a constant potential is applied and current vs. time is measured
controlled current (GAL), where a constant current is applied and potential vs. time is measured
zero resistance ammeter (ZRA), where potential is actively driven to 0 V and current vs. time is measured
open circuit potential (OCP), where the counter electrode is bypassed such that no current passes and voltage vs. time is measured

Controlled potential bulk electrolysis is by far the most commonly used mode; however, some might use controlled current for select applications. While a potentiostat, with reference feedback, is required for controlled potential bulk electrolysis, simpler instrumentation consisting of only a high voltage power supply (or batteries) and a large resistor can be used. The focus of this article will primarily focus on DEBE in POT mode (constant potential bulk electrolysis) for both working electrode 1 (WK1) and working electrode 2 (WK2).

2Fundamental Equations

Numerous texts thoroughly explain electrochemical theory and should be consulted for a complete understanding of this method.

Consider the general reaction

$\displaystyle O+ne^- \rightleftharpoons R$

where $O$ is reduced to $R$ in a one electron reaction. A solution of $m$ moles of $O$ would require $m$ moles of electrons to completely reduce $O$ to $R$ . Upon applying a sufficient reducing potential, a large amount of $O$ is converted to $R$ and subsequently swept away from the rotating electrode. As more $O$ is converted to $R$ the current falls off exponentially until it reaches background level. It is at this point, the electrolysis can be stopped. The charge $(Q)$ passed during the experiment can be obtained by integrating the current with respect to time.

$\displaystyle Q = {\int}i(t)dt$

By the following equation, charge can be converted to the number of moles of $O$ electrolyzed during the experiment

$\displaystyle m = \frac{Q}{Fn}$

where $F$ is Faraday's constant (96,485 C/mol) and $n$ is the number of electrons transferred during the reaction. This analysis is conducted for each chronoamperogram (i.e., separately for WK1 and WK2).

Additional and more complete background of this theory is provided in the Theory section of the Knowledgebase.

3Experimental Setup in AfterMath

To perform a dual-electrode electrolysis experiment in AfterMath, choose Dual Electrode Electrolysis (DEBE) from the Experiments menu (see Figure 1).

Figure 1. Dual Electrode Bulk Electrolysis (DEBE) Experiment Menu Selection in AfterMath

Doing so creates an entry within the archive, called DEBE Parameters. In the right pane of the AfterMath application, several tabs will be shown (see Figure 2).

Figure 2. Dual Electrode Electrolysis (DEBE) Experiment Basic Tab

Continue reading for detailed information about the fields on each unique tab.

3.1Basic Tab

The basic tab contains fields for the fundamental parameters necessary to perform a BE-RDE experiment. AfterMath shades fields with yellow when a required entry is blank and shades fields pink when the entry is invalid (see Figure 3).

Figure 3. Dual Electrode Electrolysis (DEBE) Parameters Basic Tab

The description that follows describes the fields and steps for DEBE. Realize that these steps apply to either WK1 or WK2 and are the same for either electrode. Both WK1 and WK2 settings are applied simultaneously.

The first selection with DEBE is the Electrode mode (see Figure 3). Controlled potential DEBE for both WK1 and WK2 electrodes is the most commonly used mode. The modes available are summarized as follows:

Controlled Potential (POT), where a constant potential is applied and current vs. time is measured
Controlled Current (GAL), where a constant current is applied and potential vs. time is measured
Zero Resistance Ammeter (ZRA), where potential is actively driven to 0 V and current vs. time is measured
Open Circuit Potential (OCP), where the counter electrode is bypassed such that no current passes and voltage vs. time is measured

As with most Aftermath methods, the experiment sequence is

Induction Period → Electrolysis Period → Relaxation Period → Post-Experiment Idle Conditions

This sequence is applied to both WK1 and WK2 simultaneously. Unlike most experiments, the Induction and Relaxation Periods are on the Basic Tab. The parameters for a DEBE experiment are fairly simple compared to other methods in AfterMath. A plot of the typical experiment sequence, containing labels of the fields on the Basic tab, helps to illustrate the sequence of events in a DEBE experiment (see Figure 4). Again, given that different electrode modes are possible, the illustrations provided here assume Controlled Potential (POT) mode; however, other modes such as Controlled Current (GAL) are analogous to these figures, with different units on the y-axis.

Bulk Electrolysis (BE) Basic Tab Field Diagram

Figure 4. Dual Electrode Electrolysis (BE) Basic Tab Field Diagram

The field diagram (see Figure 4) shows the parameters for a single electrode. The diagram applies to both WK1 and WK2; however, each electrode has their own separate settings on the basic tab.

Field labels in AfterMath will eventually include symbols, such as those used in the waveform plot below. Consult the cross-reference table (see Table 1) to match field names with symbols.

Group Name	Field Name	Symbol
Induction Period	Potential	$E_{IND}$
Induction Period	Duration	$T_{IND}$
Electrolysis Period	Potential	$E_{E}$
Electrolysis Period	Duration	$T_{E}$
Relaxation Period	Potential	$E_{RLX}$
Relaxation Period	Duration	$T_{RLX}$
Sampling Control	Number of Intervals	$N_{INT}$

Table 1. Basic Tab Group Names, Field Names, and Symbols.

During the induction period, a set of initial conditions are applied to the electrochemical cell and the cell equilibrates at these conditions at each working electrode. Data are not collected during the induction period, nor are they shown on the plot during this period.

After the induction period, the potential applied to each working electrode is stepped to the specified value for the duration of the experiment, which is called the electrolysis period. The potentiostatic circuit of the instrument maintains constant applied potential relative to the reference electrode while simultaneously measuring the current at the working electrodes. During the electrolysis period, potential and current at the working electrodes are recorded at regular intervals as specified on the Basic tab. Sampling control defines the number of intervals (number of data points) collected during the electrolysis period. With Electrolysis period duration, a sampling rate can be defined as,

$\displaystyle {\textrm{sampling rate}=\frac{\textrm{number of intervals}}{\textrm{electrolysis period duration}}}$

Users should enter a number of intervals that their analysis requires. Commonly, BE experiments are sampled at a lower rate (1 sample/s). Not all sampling rates are allowed due to differences in hardware (WaveNow series vs. WaveDriver series, for example).

NOTE: Not all sampling rates are possible. When users enter a number of intervals that is not allowed, AfterMath will prompt the user with an "Interval too short" error. Change the number of intervals and try again. In general, integer values at moderate rates are most often possible.

The experiment concludes with a relaxation period. During the relaxation period, a set of final conditions (specified on the Advanced tab) are applied to the electrochemical cell and the cell equilibrates at these conditions. Data are not collected during the induction period, nor are they shown on the plot during this period.

At the end of the relaxation period, the post-experiment idle conditions are applied to the cell, for each working electrode WK1 and WK2, and the instrument returns to the idle state. The default plot generated from the data is measured potential vs. time, called a chronoamperogram. The chronoamperogram will contain two traces, one for each working electrode (as indicated by the plot legend).

The Electrode Range on the Basic tab is used to specify the expected range of current and/or potential. If the choice of electrode range is too small on a potentiostatic experiment, measured current could be off-scale, appearing as a truncated flat line where the signal exceeded the selected measurement range. Alternatively, if the electrode range is too large for the incoming signal, measured current may have a noisy, choppy, or quantized appearance due to lower than desirable resolution based on range choice. More details on avoiding "the ugly ducking" within the knowledgebase.

3.2Advanced Tab

The BE Advanced tab contains two groups for iR Compensation and for Experiment End Trigger for both WK1 and WK2 (see Figure 5).

Figure 5. Dual Electrode Electrolysis (DEBE) Parameters Advanced Tab

Detailed description of the iR Compensation Mode is provided elsewhere on the knowledgebase. This mode is used to correct for uncompensated resistance in the electrochemical cell.

In a DEBE experiment, the researcher may want to have AfterMath monitor the response and then stop the experiment a specific current, potential, and/or charge. This value is called a trigger and is set in the Experiment End Trigger group on the Advanced tab (see Figure 5). There are independent triggers available for either WK1 and/or WK2. For DEBE, the signals for the trigger can be potential, current, or charge based on the Electrode Mode selected on the Basic tab (see Figure 3). A common example of using this trigger is in the charging of a battery. A researcher would charge the battery by performing a DEBE Controlled Currrent (GAL) mode selected (also called a CC or constant current) with the trigger set to its upper potential limit (e.g., 100% SOC). Once this potential limit is reached, the DEBE experiment terminates and retains the data collected up to the trigger endpoint.

Another application is in the plating process. If a user wishes to control the deposition layer thickness on a working electrode, they might use a constant potential to drive the reduction at the electrode. In this case, a user may have calculated a theoretical mass they intend to plate to an electrode. Through Faraday's Law (see Section 2), the user can calculate the total charge that must pass to yield the desired mass on the electrode surface. In this case, a user may set an Experiment End Trigger to stop DEBE (at the specfied electrode(s)) after passing this amount of charge. Details on the End Trigger settings are found elsewhere in the knowledgebase.

3.3Ranges, Filters, and Post Experiment Conditions Tab

The Filters tab provides access to potentiostat hardware filters, including stability, excitation, current response, and potential response filters. Pine Research recommends that users contact us for help in making changes to hardware filters. Advanced users may have an easier time changing the automatic settings on this tab. Filter settings fields are shown for WK1 (working electrode #1) as well as for WK2 (working electrode #2) regardless of the potentiostat connected to AfterMath. More information on filters is available elsewhere on the knowledgebase.

By default, the potentiostat disconnects from the electrochemical cell at the end of an experiment. There are other options available for what these post-experiment conditions can be and are controlled by setting options on the Post Experiment Conditions tab. Complete details on the fields and settings on this Post Experiment Conditions tab are provided elsewhere on the knowledgebase.

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Article Contents/Section Navigation

1Technique Overview

2Fundamental Equations

3Experimental Setup in AfterMath

3.1Basic Tab

3.2Advanced Tab

3.3Ranges, Filters, and Post Experiment Conditions Tab

4Sample Experiment

5Example Applications

6References

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