Investigation of the role of polyelectrolytes in the stabilization of reactive redox species

Presenter Information

James Siegenthaler

Document Type

Oral Presentation

Campus where you would like to present

SURC 137B

Start Date

16-5-2013

End Date

16-5-2013

Abstract

The stabilization of electrochemically reactive compounds can lead to new breakthroughs in energy storage technology. This study focuses on the stabilization of an electrochemically reactive dye in the presence of polyelectrolytes. Polyelectrolytes are chains of repeating charged atoms that are counterbalanced with an oppositely charged ion. Polyelectrolytes have been shown to stabilize electrochemically active species. When a negatively charged dye is introduced to a solution of polyelectrolytes with a positively charged backbone, electrostatic interactions of the opposite charges cause attraction between the dye and the polyelectrolytes. This study investigated the reduction and oxidation (redox) stabilization of the dye, indigo tetrasulfonate (ITS) in the presence of the polyelectrolyte poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (poly(DADMAC)). The experiment involved electrochemical characterization using cyclic voltammetry to establish background scans of pure ITS, poly(DADMAC) and supporting electrolyte potassium nitrate (KNO3). Once background scans were established, characterization of control solutions containing ITS, poly(DADMAC), and KNO3 were taken to observe electrochemical interactions. The results for electrochemical stabilization were inconclusive, however a change in ITS’s reduction potential was observed. From the data collected the diffusion coefficient of the poly(DADMAC)-ITS complex were calculated. The associated change in Gibbs free energy for ITS in the presence of poly(DADMAC) was also calculated to compare the polyelectrolytes effects on redox stabilization.

Faculty Mentor(s)

Dion Rivera

Additional Mentoring Department

Chemistry

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May 16th, 4:30 PM May 16th, 4:50 PM

Investigation of the role of polyelectrolytes in the stabilization of reactive redox species

SURC 137B

The stabilization of electrochemically reactive compounds can lead to new breakthroughs in energy storage technology. This study focuses on the stabilization of an electrochemically reactive dye in the presence of polyelectrolytes. Polyelectrolytes are chains of repeating charged atoms that are counterbalanced with an oppositely charged ion. Polyelectrolytes have been shown to stabilize electrochemically active species. When a negatively charged dye is introduced to a solution of polyelectrolytes with a positively charged backbone, electrostatic interactions of the opposite charges cause attraction between the dye and the polyelectrolytes. This study investigated the reduction and oxidation (redox) stabilization of the dye, indigo tetrasulfonate (ITS) in the presence of the polyelectrolyte poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (poly(DADMAC)). The experiment involved electrochemical characterization using cyclic voltammetry to establish background scans of pure ITS, poly(DADMAC) and supporting electrolyte potassium nitrate (KNO3). Once background scans were established, characterization of control solutions containing ITS, poly(DADMAC), and KNO3 were taken to observe electrochemical interactions. The results for electrochemical stabilization were inconclusive, however a change in ITS’s reduction potential was observed. From the data collected the diffusion coefficient of the poly(DADMAC)-ITS complex were calculated. The associated change in Gibbs free energy for ITS in the presence of poly(DADMAC) was also calculated to compare the polyelectrolytes effects on redox stabilization.