Electrochemical Studies of Reactions in Small Volumes Less Than 1 Femto Litres.

Author

Isaac Agyekum, East Tennessee State University

Degree Name

MS (Master of Science)

Program

Chemistry

Date of Award

5-2011

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Peng Sun

Committee Members

Chu-Ngi Ho, Yu-Lin Jiang

Abstract

Electrochemical methods have been used to study electron transfer reactions at the interface between an aqueous phase of less than 1 femto liters in volume and a bulk organic phase. The small aqueous phase is formed at the end of a slightly recessed platinum electrode. When a negative potential is applied between the Pt electrode and the aqueous phase, Ru(NH₃)₆³⁺ in the aqueous phase could be reduced to Ru(NH₃)₆²⁺. Because the volume of the aqueous phase is very small, the electrochemically formed Ru(NH₃)₆²⁺ could instantly reach the interface between the aqueous phase and the organic phase which contains 7,7,8,8-Teteracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), and be oxidized to form Ru(NH₃)₆³⁺ by giving electrons to TCNQ at the interface. Our results showed a positive shift in the E_1/2 comparing the reaction undertaken in the recessed cavity and the bulk solution.

Document Type

Thesis - unrestricted

Recommended Citation

Agyekum, Isaac, "Electrochemical Studies of Reactions in Small Volumes Less Than 1 Femto Litres." (2011). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1316. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1316

Copyright

Copyright by the authors.