A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Primary cathodic steps of electrogenerated chemiluminescence of lanthanide(III) chelates at oxide-covered aluminum electrodes in aqueous solution
Authors: Kulmala S, Kulmala A, Ala-Kleme T, Pihlaja J
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
Publication year: 1998
Journal: Analytica Chimica Acta
Journal name in source: ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
Journal acronym: ANAL CHIM ACTA
Volume: 367
Issue: 1-3
First page : 17
Last page: 31
Number of pages: 15
ISSN: 0003-2670
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-2670(98)00154-8
Abstract
The primary processes occurring at cathodically polarized oxide-covered aluminum electrode are discussed in detail. It is pointed out that more energetic cathodic processes can be induced in aqueous media at thin insulating film-coated electrodes than at any semiconductor or active metal electrode. It is proposed that tunnel emission of hot electrons with energies well above the level of the conduction band edge of water occur, and the thermalization and solvation of the emitted electrons can result in generation of hydrated electrons. The cathodically pulse-polarized oxide-covered aluminum also generates a strong oxidant (or oxidants) at the oxide/electrolyte interface, and it is proposed that this species is the hydroxyl radical which is generated either by cathodic high field-induced ejection of self-trapped holes as oxygen dianions (i.e. oxide radical ions) into the electrolyte solution, or by the action of anion vacancies and/or F+-centers as the primary oxidants capable of oxidizing hydroxide ions or the hydroxyl groups of the hydroxylated surface on the oxide film. These radicals, hydrated electrons/ hydroxyl radicals, can act as mediating reductants/oxidants in reduction/oxidation of solutes. The formation of the primary species is monitored by electrochemiluminophores which cannot be cathodically excited at active metal electrodes in fully aqueous solutions, but which can be chemically excited in aqueous media in the simultaneous presence of highly reducing and highly oxidizing radicals. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
The primary processes occurring at cathodically polarized oxide-covered aluminum electrode are discussed in detail. It is pointed out that more energetic cathodic processes can be induced in aqueous media at thin insulating film-coated electrodes than at any semiconductor or active metal electrode. It is proposed that tunnel emission of hot electrons with energies well above the level of the conduction band edge of water occur, and the thermalization and solvation of the emitted electrons can result in generation of hydrated electrons. The cathodically pulse-polarized oxide-covered aluminum also generates a strong oxidant (or oxidants) at the oxide/electrolyte interface, and it is proposed that this species is the hydroxyl radical which is generated either by cathodic high field-induced ejection of self-trapped holes as oxygen dianions (i.e. oxide radical ions) into the electrolyte solution, or by the action of anion vacancies and/or F+-centers as the primary oxidants capable of oxidizing hydroxide ions or the hydroxyl groups of the hydroxylated surface on the oxide film. These radicals, hydrated electrons/ hydroxyl radicals, can act as mediating reductants/oxidants in reduction/oxidation of solutes. The formation of the primary species is monitored by electrochemiluminophores which cannot be cathodically excited at active metal electrodes in fully aqueous solutions, but which can be chemically excited in aqueous media in the simultaneous presence of highly reducing and highly oxidizing radicals. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.