Operando ATR-IR spectroscopy applied to investigate the mechanisms of alternative anodic reactions

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Martin Muhler
• Subject Area: Technical Chemistry
• Term: since 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 413163866

Electrochemical reactions are highly complex processes requiring extensive efforts to achieve in-depth understanding of the reaction mechanisms occurring at electrodes. This is particularly the case for multi-electron transfer reactions such as alcohol or ammonia oxidation reactions and the oxidative carbonylation reaction of alcohols. For this reason, an operando attenuated total reflection (ATR) infrared spectroscopy cell equipped with a borehole electrode and additional downstream analytical techniques such as HPLC and GC-MS was established for monitoring the reactants in the electrolyte. To gain more information about adsorbates on the electrode surface under reaction conditions, the electrode needs to be approached closely to the evanescent wave at the internal reflection element (IRE) of the ATR-IR set-up. It is planned to deposit the electrocatalysts in recessed microelectrodes, which will be positioned at the IRE by a x-y-z system and a force sensor. To further extend the application range of the spectroelectrochemical cell, glassy carbon used as electrode material is planned to be replaced by tantalum coated with boron-doped diamond to study the formation of peroxides applied as oxidizing agents in organic transformations.

• DFG Programme: Research Units
• Subproject of: FOR 2982: UNODE - Unusual Anode Reactions