A Divided Electrochemical Cell

The Jackfish spectroelectrochemical H-cell is a fantastic platform for in-situ measurements of electrified metal interfaces. As a surface-sensitive technique, IR spectroelectrochemistry provides information about surface composition which can help identify reaction intermediates and elucidate electrocatalytic mechanisms.

H-cells help researchers avoid unintentional redox reactions from occurring by controlling the electrolyte which is in contact with the counter electrode (CE) and working electrode (WE). The electrodes are housed in separate compartments partitioned by a semipermeable membrane so that the electrolyte in each compartment can have a unique composition. Precursors can be selectively introduced into the WE compartment without concern of side reactions at the CE and products from the WE are prevented from participating in further reactions at the CE. 

A quartz window provides direct observation of the working electrode surface and also enables the possibility of photochemical experiments. The included low-profile magnetic stirrer may help to discriminate between active and inactive catalyst sites by recording IR spectra when mass transport is a limiting factor and then resuming stirring and observing spectral changes.

Multiple ports are provided to facilitate the introduction of gases to the cell and accommodate a wide variety of experimental setups. The cell is reliably sealed with o-rings so hazardous gases such as CO may be used without leaking out of the cell. Gasses can be collected from the exhaust port where they can subsequently be routed for safe disposal.

ATR-SEIRAS enables the study of a wide variety of metal surfaces, not only the coinage metals that are amenable to study by SERS. The surface texture of the metal is the most important consideration as to whether a material is suitable, and a variety of deposition methods are possible including physical vapor deposition, electroless chemical deposition and electrodeposition on top of a transparent conducting film such as ITO.