On the stopping potential of ionic currents

A. Banerjee, H. Grebel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

In parallel to vacuum tubes, where accelerated electrons are retained by a biased screen, we stop ionic currents in electrolytes by providing a small bias to a permeable electrode placed in the ionic path. In electrolytes, though, the process is far more complex due to the very short screening distances of ions. While the concept is general, we demonstrated the effect in a self-powered system, namely, a wet battery. Graphene - monolayer, or a few layer thick graphite - is a good screening electrode since it does not oxidize easily. Two half-cells, Zn electrode immersed in ZnSO4 electrolyte and Cu electrode immersed in CuSO4, respectively, were brought into contact via graphene-coated Teflon filter. A small positive bias between the screening electrode (graphene) and the Cu electrode was sufficient to stop the oxidation-reduction reaction. Such constructions may enable studies of ion tunneling and electronically controlled graphene-coated bio-membranes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)274-277
Number of pages4
JournalElectrochemistry Communications
Volume12
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2010

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electrochemistry

Keywords

  • Batteries
  • Graphene
  • Graphene electrodes
  • Ionic currents
  • Permeable electrodes
  • Screening electrodes
  • Screening of ions
  • Stopping potentials

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