Typical applications
This test cell can be used for experiments based on 2-electrode or 3-electrode configuration.
Typical applications are:
Investigation of the interface between coated or uncoated metals and electrolyte solutions (corrosion behavior, degradation layer formation, electrochemical double layer studies, …)
Investigation of the mechanisms of redox reactions
Determination of the properties of thin ion, electron, or mixed conducting films on semi-conducting or insulating substrates
Corrosion studies
Van-der-Pauw measurements
Selected views and impressions
Detailed Description
The test cell TSC Surface is based on a gold-plated thermo block with integrated Pt100 temperature sensor. The surface of the thermo block is flat so that flat samples can be placed on top of it for electrochemical characterization. The loaded cell is hermetically sealed from the outside by a PEEK housing with O-ring grooves enabling the investigation of air- and/or moisture-sensitive samples. An O-ring at the bottom side of the housing (6 x 1.5 mm in size, made of FFKM by default; FKM and EPDM are also available on demand) is clamped onto the sample from above and thus defines the electrochemically active area.
Four concentrically mounted (and removable) contact pins establish electrical contact with the surface of the sample. This enables the investigation of substrates with an only one-sided conductive coating (like for instance gold-plated mica sheets) as well as ensuring a proper sample contact. Thus, the sample can be contacted from below via the thermo block or from above via the contact pins.
Two lateral ports enable the usage of reference electrodes. A re-fillable reference electrode based on a silver wire in a PEEK housing sealed at the front-side by a magnesia frit can be offered (= “real” reference electrode of the 2nd kind). In addition, the ports can be used to fill the cell with additional electrolyte using the capillary-based filling set. The housing serves as electrolyte reservoir. An amount of approx. 0.6 ml is required.
The cell is closed with a screw cap with an exchangeable electrode tip. By default, a mirror-like polished glassy carbon electrode press-fitted in PEEK (electrochemically active surface area: 6 mm) is included. In principle, all materials which can be pressed into PEEK are available, like for instance stainless steel, platinum, gold, copper.
Technical Details
- Sensor:
integrated Pt100 temperature sensor
- Lower electrode dimensions:
- as rectangular shape: min. side length: 10 mm, max. side length: 15 mm
- as round shape: min. diameter: 12 mm, max. diameter: 20 mm
- Lower electrode requirements:
flat substrate, surface with low roughness; ideally, the sample is dimensionally stable when being set under low pressure (applied by O-ring and contact pins)
- Test cell materials:
gold- and nickel-plated copper (thermo block), PEEK (housing, cap, plug, and fittings), glassy carbon (upper electrode), EPDM and FFKM (O-rings)
- Temperature range (operation):
-40 °C to +100 °C depending on sample amount and dew point
- Temperature range (storage):
+10 °C to +30 °C
- Required accessory to make electrical connection:
Microcell HC Setup, Microcell Passive, or customized cable set
Key Data
- Art. No.:
840215
- Material in contact with sample:
sample material / lower electrode, PEEK, glassy carbon (default upper electrode material), O-ring material (FFKM, EPDM)
- Possible sample dimensions:
- rectangular shape: min. side length: 10 mm, max. side length: 15 mm
- round shape: min. diameter: 12 mm, max. diameter: 20 mm
- Upper electrode tip:
Exchangeable – available materials: Au, Pt, stainless steel 1.4404, Cu, Zn, glassy carbon, …
- Required electrolyte amount:
0.6 ml
