Cyclic Voltammetric Diagnostics for Inert, Uniform Density Films

Abstract

Quantitative characterization of uniform density, electrochemically inert films on electrodes is achieved by cyclic voltammetry (CV) of a redox probe that partitions from electrolyte into the film. Electrochemically inert films generate no faradaic current in the voltammetric window of the probe. In simulation models, probes pre-equilibrate into films, electrolyze at electrodes, diffuse in film and solution, and extract across film solution interfaces. Film thickness is ℓ. Diffusion length δ approximates distance from the electrode where voltammetry perturbs probe concentration; δ∝ν− 1/2 for scan rate ν. At high ν, δ < ℓ and voltammetric morphologies are typical of semi-infinite linear diffusion. As ν slows, δ ≳ ℓ and CV morphologies can change with relative probe flux in the film and solution. For higher solution flux, voltammograms assume sigmoidal (S-shaped) characteristics; higher film flux generates gaussian (thin layer CV) characteristics. For film and solution diffusion coefficients Df and Ds and κ the equilibrium ratio of probe concentration in film to solution, diagnostics yield κ√(Df/Ds) and ℓ2/Df. Because diagnostics apply for all ν, films are fully parameterized by CV alone. Without these diagnostics, full characterization requires a second, steady state voltammetric measurement. Diagnostics are vetted with [Ru(bpy)3]2 + (probe) in inert polymer films of Nafion and of poly(styrenesulfonate).