Proton conductivity is a vital process both for solar energy storage through electrolysis as well as subsequent utilization of this stored energy in fuel cells. Currently, there is a lack of fundamental understanding regarding the mechanism of proton conductivity. This project explores the process of proton conductivity through pH gradients formed by the hydrolysis of water. The experimental set up consisted of a platinum electrode placed on litmus paper connected in series to a reference electrode and potentiostat. A camera recorded the vessel as a potential was applied across the electrodes. As hydrogen ions flowed from the electrode, a red acidic ring would propagate across the litmus paper. Code was written in Matlab that converts the video from its RGB values to colors associated with a calibrated pH value. Equations to model the diffusion of ions as a function of time are being worked out. We hope this work will aid in the future characterization of molecular mechanisms of conductivity in proton conducting solutions.

Proton diffusion from pH gradients on litmus paper

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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