Mechanistic Insights Gained by Monitoring Carbon Nanotube/ Prussian Blue Nanocomposite Formation With in Situ Electrochemically Based Techniques

摘要

Mass loadings and mechanistic insights into the stepwise formation of Prussian blue (PB) in a carbon nanotube nanocomposite electrode,formed by an in situ electrochemical reaction between iron species filling the carbon nanotubes cavities and ferricyanide ions in solution, have been probed by electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM), electrochemical surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). Changes to the interfacial nanotube "electrode/ electrolyte" (aqueous KG) region during PB oxidation and reduction and the influence of the applied potential also have been assessed by EQCM mass and SPR refractive angle changes that reflect the local redox activity. The data obtained confirm that KG present as the supporting electrolyte participates in PB formation, and SECM studies reveal that redox activity takes place at both metallic centers in PB. Large changes in the SPR angle with variation in applied potential and electrolyte cation in the carbon nanotube/PB film suggest that the nanocomposite material represents a promising material for the development of nanostructured optical devices.