LANTHANIDE ELECTROCHEMISTRY

摘要

Electrochemically reacting a lanthanide or actinide in solvent at a working electrode; wherein the solvent comprises an organic solvent such as acetonitrile which have a dielectric constant of at least three; wherein the solvent system further comprises an electrolyte; wherein the working electrode comprises an ionically conducting or permeable film such as a fluorosulfonate film; wherein at least one ligand such as triflate distinct from the ionically conducting or permeable film is present; wherein the ligand is chemically similar to a structure in the ionically conducting or ionically permeable film; and optionally wherein the electrochemical oxidation or reduction is carried out under the influence of a magnetic field which favorably enhances the reaction. Improved electrochemical methods, identification, and separation can be achieved. Also, an electrochemical device, wherein the device is adapted to employ the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the cathode, wherein the cathode is magnetically modified, or the electrolyte comprises at least one lanthanide or actinide, or both.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
electrochemically oxidizing and/or reducing at least one lanthanide, at least one actinide, or a combination thereof, irrespective of oxidation state, in a solvent system at at least one working electrode, wherein the solvent system comprises one or more organic solvents which have a dielectric constant of at least three and the water of the solvent system is less than about 25 wt. %; wherein the solvent system further comprises at least one electrolyte; wherein the at least one working electrode comprises at least one electronically conductive electrode substrate and at least one ionically conducting or ionically permeable film disposed on the substrate; wherein at least one ligand distinct from the ionically conducting or ionically permeable film is present as part of the lanthanide, the actinide, the electrolyte, or a combination thereof, wherein the ligand facilitates the oxidizing and/or reducing of the lanthanide, actinide, or combination thereof; and wherein the ligand is chemically similar to a structure in the ionically conducting or ionically permeable film.