Chapter 1
Introduction
Electrochemistry is a branch of physical chemistry which concerns studies of charge
transfer reactions occurring at the interface between an electron conductor and the
species present in the solution phase. Electrochemical reactions are fundamental in a
large number of processes occurring in nature. For example photosynthesis and brain
chemistry are driven by cascades of complex electrochemical reactions. Electric
batteries and fuel cells represent important electrochemical devices for storage and
conversion between chemical and electrical energy.
The interface between the electrode material and the species in the electrolyte
solution is the focus point of electrochemical studies. In situ molecular-scale visualization of electrochemical processes, describing electric potential-dependent
changes in the composition, structure, conformation, packing, and orientation of
species adsorbing on the electrode surface is crucial to understand electrochemical
reactions. These challenging requirements bring the need of in situ application of
surface analyzing techniques to the electrochemical interface. Probing of the surface
layer of atoms or molecules adsorbed on electrodes requires:
(i) Distinction of structural features between species adsorbed on the electrode
surface compared to the species present in the bulk phase of the electrolyte
solution;
(ii) High sensitivity of the surface analyzing technique allowing a (sub)-monolayer
level analysis of the surface species.
To probe in situ surfaces either microscopic or spectroscopic techniques are used.
Spectroscopic techniques operating on bombardment of the surface with radiation
include excitation of the surface with electrons, ions or photons and collection of the
emitted radiation (electrons, photons, ions or neutrons). Since electrons and ions
irradiating the sample are scattered in the gas phase, the major part of surface
analyzing techniques is applicable in vacuum. Photon based spectroscopic techniques are applicable in gas and liquid environment, and therefore find applications
in electrochemical studies.
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
I. Brand, Application of Polarization Modulation Infrared Reflection Absorption
Spectroscopy in Electrochemistry, Monographs in Electrochemistry,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42164-9_1
1
Introduction
Electrochemistry is a branch of physical chemistry which concerns studies of charge
transfer reactions occurring at the interface between an electron conductor and the
species present in the solution phase. Electrochemical reactions are fundamental in a
large number of processes occurring in nature. For example photosynthesis and brain
chemistry are driven by cascades of complex electrochemical reactions. Electric
batteries and fuel cells represent important electrochemical devices for storage and
conversion between chemical and electrical energy.
The interface between the electrode material and the species in the electrolyte
solution is the focus point of electrochemical studies. In situ molecular-scale visualization of electrochemical processes, describing electric potential-dependent
changes in the composition, structure, conformation, packing, and orientation of
species adsorbing on the electrode surface is crucial to understand electrochemical
reactions. These challenging requirements bring the need of in situ application of
surface analyzing techniques to the electrochemical interface. Probing of the surface
layer of atoms or molecules adsorbed on electrodes requires:
(i) Distinction of structural features between species adsorbed on the electrode
surface compared to the species present in the bulk phase of the electrolyte
solution;
(ii) High sensitivity of the surface analyzing technique allowing a (sub)-monolayer
level analysis of the surface species.
To probe in situ surfaces either microscopic or spectroscopic techniques are used.
Spectroscopic techniques operating on bombardment of the surface with radiation
include excitation of the surface with electrons, ions or photons and collection of the
emitted radiation (electrons, photons, ions or neutrons). Since electrons and ions
irradiating the sample are scattered in the gas phase, the major part of surface
analyzing techniques is applicable in vacuum. Photon based spectroscopic techniques are applicable in gas and liquid environment, and therefore find applications
in electrochemical studies.
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
I. Brand, Application of Polarization Modulation Infrared Reflection Absorption
Spectroscopy in Electrochemistry, Monographs in Electrochemistry,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42164-9_1
1