Hot electron injection into aqueous electrolyte solution from thin insulating film-coated electrodes

Abstract

Hot electron injection into aqueous electrolyte solution was studied with electrochemiluminescence and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) methods. Both methods provide further indirect support for the previously proposed hot electron emission mechanisms from thin insulating film-coated electrodes to aqueous electrolyte solution. The results do not rule out the possibility of hydrated electron being as a cathodic intermediate in the reduction reactions at cathodically pulse-polarized thin insulating film-coated electrodes. However, no direct evidence for electrochemical generation of hydrated electrons could be obtained with EPR, only spin-trapping experiments could give information about the primary cathodic steps.