A current challenge in Energy Sciences is the development of improved electrolytes for batteries. <br/>Microemulsions and micelles are structured fluids that can be used in aqueous electrochemical systems and can solubilize a wide range of redox active species. Decades of research has shown the utility of microemulsions in electrochemical systems; however, it is not clear where the components of these complex systems are during reactions. Our group is applying Raman spectroscopy in order to gain a fundamental understanding of the structure and dynamics of the fluid aggregates and charged species solubilized within them. Raman spectroscopy is a highly sensitive vibrational spectroscopy that allows for real-time monitoring of molecular structure during reactions. While we are able to establish the Raman spectra of the components of the complex structured fluid systems, higher sensitivity can be achieved through the application of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) combined with electrochemistry. SERS provides greatly enhanced Raman signals from molecules adsorbed to metal nanoparticles or roughened metal surfaces. The metal nanoparticles/roughened surface create an oscillating electric field called the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) when excited with a laser, which results in the enhancement of the weak Raman signal. SERS is surface selective, highly sensitive, rapid, label-free and requires little to no sample processing. Simultaneously collecting SERS spectra while applying a potential allows us to monitor the structure and dynamics of the fluid aggregate systems in real-time.

Monitoring structure and dynamics of fluid aggregates at the electrode surface through spectroelectrochemistry

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.