Electrochemical Quartz Microbalance
(EQCM-D)
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An EQCM-D, like the BluQCM, is capable to simultaneously monitoring frequency and dissipation. So the variation of the hydrodynamic contribution to the frequency response induced by volume changes of the material during potential cycling on an electrochemical cell is corrected.
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An airtight electrochemical cell is available and can be mounted in a glove box. Therefore, in situ measurements under an inert atmosphere are possible and studies to quantify the deposition of material, and characterize ion insertion processes in battery and supercapacitor materials are possible.
Electrochemical Surface Plasmon Resonance
(ESPR)
200 Otso, with electrochemical cell
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ESPR is critical for investigations of the molecular interactions and processes (i.e., adsorption/absorption, dissolution, desorption, expansion, etc.) that accompany electrochemical reactions at thin solid films. Such equipment is essential for further understanding of reactions at the electrode/electrolyte interface in energy storage devices.
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The 200 Otso offers a scanning-angle, two-wavelength SPR instrument equipped with an electrochemical flow-through cell, exactly was being requested for in situ real-time investigations of electrochemical reactions. The instrument’s wide incident angle range permits measurements in organic solvents (refractive indexes up to 1.5). The acquisition of full-angle range SPR curves at two different excitation wavelengths, which is a capability unique to the Navi 200 system, allows the determination of the refractive index and thickness of films ranging from 0.3 nm to a few µm without prior assumptions of the refractive index of the material.
Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy Assisted by AFM
(SECM-AFM)
SECM add-on module on Icon AFM, Bruker
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A SECM can give spatially resolved electrochemical reactivity data needed for elucidating the mechanistic details of the reactions involved in energy storage and conversion devices. Bruker’s exclusive PeakForce SECM mode is the first complete commercial solution for AFM-based SECM.
With spatial resolution < 100 nm, PeakForce SECM uniquely provides simultaneous capture of topographical, electrochemical, electrical, and mechanical maps, allowing correlations to be made between the different properties. This technology radically redefines what is possible in the nanoscale visualization of electrochemical and chemical processes in liquid. The SECM add-on can be installed on an Icon AFM located in a glove box.
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The SECM add-on and the associated Icon AFM are hosted in the Laboratoire de caractérisation des matériaux (LCM) of Université de Montréal. All inquiries should be addressed to Patricia Moraille.
