Microgravimetric monitoring of transport of cations during redox reactions of indium(III) hexacyanoferrate(III,II)

Abstract

We demonstrate here that, primarily, electrolyte cations but also, to some extent, anions are capable of penetrating indium hexacyanoferrate films during redox reactions. We find from electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance measurements that the electrolyte cation (K+) undergoes sorption and desorption during the system's reduction and oxidation, respectively. The formal potential, which has been determined from the system's well-defined voltammetric peaks recorded with the use of an ultramicroelectrode, decreases ∼40 mV per decade of decreasing K+ concentration. The latter value is lower than the 60 mV change expected for the involvement of a cation in the reaction mechanism according to the ideal Nernstian dependence. We also demonstrate, using 35-S labelled sulfate, that anion penetrates the reduced film and its concentration markedly increases during oxidation. Careful examination of cyclic voltammetric responses of the system shows that, in addition to the well-defined peaks, capacitance-like currents appear during oxidation. During reduction anion is largely expelled from the film. This complex ionic penetration and transport in indium hexacynoferrate may be explained in terms of formation of two forms: ‘soluble’, KInIII[FeII(CN)6], and ‘insoluble’ (‘normal’), InIII4[FeII(CN)6]3, during the electrochemical growth or potential cycling of the films. These forms would require cations and anions, respectively, to provide charge balance during reactions. Regardless of the actual mechanism, penetration of anions cannot be neglected completely in the discussion of charging of indium hexacyanoferrate.