Quantitative, In Situ Visualization of Metal-Ion Dissolution and Transport Using H-1 Magnetic Resonance Imaging

摘要

Quantitative mapping of metal ions freely diffusing in solution is important across a diverse range of disciplines and is particularly significant for dissolution processes in batteries, metal corrosion, and electroplating/polishing of manufactured components. However, most current techniques are invasive, requiring sample extraction, insertion of an electrode, application of an electric potential or the inclusion of a molecular sensor. Thus, there is a need for techniques to visualize the distribution of metal ions non-invasively, in situ, quantitatively, in three dimensions (3D) and in real time. Here we have used H-1 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to make quantitative 3D maps showing evolution of the distribution of Cu2+ ions, not directly visible by MRI, during the electro-dissolution of copper, with high sensitivity and spatial resolution. The images are sensitive to the speciation of copper, the depletion of dissolved O-2 in the electrolyte and show the dissolution of Cu2+ ions is not uniform across the anode.