CHEMISTRY LAB REPORT

Question 1.

The differences in the capacitive current are due to;

(i) The scan rate – From the Cottrell equation, the peak capacitive current is directly

proportional to the square root of the scan rate

(ii) Catalyst loading – the platinum electrode catalyst creates a pseudo capacitor as a

result of charges present at the interface of the platinum electrode and the catalyst.

With the carbon catalyst, EDLCs are generated in any instance the carbon electrode

comes into contact with the electrode. This creates double layer capacitive current

(iii) The surface area accessible during the electrochemical process – the nature of the

material used for the surface, its roughness or smoothness as well as its structure.

Smooth surface creates a better current as compared to rough surface.

Question 2.

Step 1.

(i) From the Cottrell Equation, current is determined as follows

1 1
(2𝑛𝐹𝐴𝐷2 ∗ 𝐶𝑡2 )
𝑖=
√𝜋
( )

(ii) From the graphical plot of the [𝐹𝑒 (𝐶𝑁)6 ]−3 solution represented by the red curve and

the pure solution of Potassium Chloride solution represented by the blue curve, we

obtain the slope of either graphical plot. The slope is determined from the equation

below
 1
2𝑛𝐹𝐴𝐶𝐷2
∆ (𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒) = ( )
1
√2𝜋

𝑛 – represents the Number of electrons transferred during

Electrochemical process.

𝐴− Represents the surface area of the electrode.

𝐹 – represents the Faradays Constant

𝐶 − Represents the concentration of the analyte in moles per cubic meter.

𝐷 − Represents the constant of diffusion of the analyte solution.

(iii) Thus, from this slope equation we can substitute for the known values to determine

the unknown value, the surface area of the electrode.

Step 2.

(i) Examine a variety of viable scan rates in which the Faradic current on the

electrode is almost zero or very negligible amounts. The current

measurements should be as a result of charging and discharging of the double

layer of the electrode.

(ii) In extreme cases, where the Faradic currents are of considerable magnitudes

within the viable scan range, then both Faradic and capacitive currents must

be separated. Once separation is done, the capacitive current is determined

and used.

(iii) By applying a series of numerous scan rates, the next graphical plot can be

drawn of current against scan rate for a determined fixed potential. When the

graphical plot obtained gives a linear relationship, then the gradient or slope
 of the graph gives the capacitance of the electrode’s double layer, usually in

Farads.

(iv) Based on the literature provided, the material used for the electrode for

instance platinum, has a defined unique capacitance (EDL) expressed in

𝐹/𝑐𝑚2 .

(v) The surface area of the electrode will be determined as the ratio as the

capacitance obtained from the current, voltage readings and the capacitance

obtained from the literature.

Question 3.

From the basic Nernst Equation.

0+
𝑅𝑇 𝐶0 ∗
𝐸=𝐸 + ln
𝑛𝐹 𝐶𝑅 ∗

Which can be simplified further to;

𝑅𝑇 𝑎0
𝐸 = 𝐸 0+ + ln
𝑛𝐹 𝑎𝑅

Since Platinum electrode was used;

𝑃𝑡2+ + 2𝑒 − ⇋ 𝑃𝑡

The potential is thus calculated as

𝑅𝑇 0.005
𝐸 = 1.188𝑉 + ln = 1.11998𝑉
2𝐹 1
Question 4.

The system is considered reversible since the separation of the peaks are within 28 𝑚𝑉 of

magnitude. This further reveals that the platinum electrode was properly polished and that the

resistance of the solution was properly compensated.

The process is also considered reversible since the magnitude of 𝐸𝑝,𝑐 /𝑉 is relatively

constant as with a fluctuation error in the range of ±0.005% which is negligible and the whole

𝐸𝑝,𝑐 /𝑉 considered to be constant with the varying magnitudes of the scan rates.

It is also considered a reversible process because the magnitude of the potential does not

change with variations in the magnitude of the peak current. The potential is observed to be

constant.

Question 5.

The doping processes of these materials, for instance the broad peak reveals the

amorphous nature of gold material i.e, the atomic arrangement of the gold electrodes.

The deposition processes from the gold reactions also contribute to either broader or

sharper peaks.

The rates of charge transfer across the gold clustered multilayers.

Question 6.

The formal potential for ferrocene can be approximated as

1
(𝐸 + 𝐸𝑝𝑐 ) = 0.527 ± 0.018 𝑉.
2 𝑝𝑎

Ferrocene carboxylic acid is a good mediator as shown by the cyclic voltammograms, the

ferrocene carboxylic acid seeks to alter the electrochemical potential by adjusting it to almost the

electrochemical potential of the substrate. Ferrocene also has a high electron self – exchange

rate.