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- Fluorescence (6)
- Dye (4)
- Standard (4)
- Spectral correction (3)
- Uncertainty (3)
- ELISA (2)
- Electrochemistry (2)
- Endocrine disruption (2)
- Mass spectrometry (2)
- Method comparison (2)
Organisationseinheit der BAM
- 1 Analytische Chemie; Referenzmaterialien (4)
- 1.2 Biophotonik (4)
- 6 Materialchemie (2)
- 6.3 Strukturanalytik (2)
- 1.1 Anorganische Spurenanalytik (1)
- 4 Material und Umwelt (1)
- 4.4 Thermochemische Reststoffbehandlung und Wertstoffrückgewinnung (1)
- 8 Zerstörungsfreie Prüfung (1)
- 8.5 Röntgenbildgebung (1)
Prerequisite for the rational design of functional organic materials with tailor-made electronic properties is the knowledge of the structure–property relationship for the specific class of molecules under consideration. This encouraged us to systematically study the influence of the molecular structure and substitution pattern of aromatically substituted 1,3,4-oxadiazoles on the electronic properties and packing motifs of these molecules and on the interplay of these factors. For this purpose, seven diphenyl-oxadiazoles equipped with methyl substituents in the ortho- and meta-position(s) were synthesized and characterized. Absorption and fluorescence spectra in solution served here as tools to monitor substitution-induced changes in the electronic properties of the individual molecules whereas X-ray and optical measurements in the solid state provided information on the interplay of electronic and packing effects. In solution, the spectral position of the absorption maximum, the size of Stokes shift, and the fluorescence quantum yield are considerably affected by ortho-substitution in three or four ortho-positions. This results in blue shifted absorption bands, increased Stokes shifts, and reduced fluorescence quantum yields whereas the spectral position and vibrational structure of the emission bands remain more or less unaffected. In the crystalline state, however, the spectral position and shape of the emission bands display a strong dependence on the molecular structure and/or packing motifs that seem to control the amount of dye–dye-interactions. These observations reveal the limited value of commonly reported absorption and fluorescence measurements in solution for a straightforward comparison of spectroscopic results with single X-ray crystallography. This underlines the importance of solid state spectroscopic studies for a better understanding of the interplay of electronic effects and molecular order.
The development of dendritic metal ion carrier systems for use in a biological environment is a challenging task as the carrier system must possess multiple features (e.g. a protective shell for metal decomplexation, targeting functions, metal-intradendrimer complexes, etc.) to substitute for the function of metal proteins in processes such as copper metabolism. Thus, Cu(II) complexation by a series of poly(propyleneimine) glycodendrimers ranging up to the fifth generation that have either a dense maltose or maltotriose shell was investigated by UV/Vis spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). As a necessary step towards potential biological application, we elucidated the complexation capacity, location of the Cu(II)-dendrimer complexes and the Cu(II) coordination sphere in the dendritic environment. A generation-dependent Cu(II) complexation was found. Furthermore, analysis of the EPR spectra revealed that internal and external Cu(II) coordination and the symmetry (axial and rhombic) of the generated complexes depend on the oligosaccharide shell, dendrimer generation and the relative concentrations of Cu(II) and the dendrimers. Both axial and rhombic symmetries are generation dependent, but also distort with increasing generation number. External coordination of Cu(II) is supported by sugar groups and water molecules. Finally, a third-generation dendrimer with a maltose shell was used to explore the general complexation behaviour of the dendritic poly(propyleneimine) scaffold towards different metal ions [Cu(II), Ag(I), VO(IV), Ni(II), Eu(III) and UO2(VI)].
One of the challenges of high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells is the poisoning of the Pt catalyst with H3PO4. H3PO4 is imbibed into the routinely used polybenzimidazole-based membranes, which facilitate proton conductivity in the temperature range of 120−200 °C. However, when leached out of the membrane by water produced during operation, H3PO4 adsorbs on the Pt catalyst surface, blocking the active sites and hindering the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).
The reduction of H3PO4 to H3PO3, which occurs at the anode due to a combination of a low potential and the presence of gaseous H2, has been investigated as an additional important contributing factor to the observed poisoning effect. H3PO3 has an affinity toward adsorption on Pt surfaces even greater than that of H2PO4 −. In this work, we investigated the poisoning effect of both H3PO3 and H3PO4 using a half-cell setup with a gas diffusion electrode under ambient conditions. By means of in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy, it was possible to follow the signature of different species adsorbed on the Pt nanoparticle catalyst (H, O, H2PO4 −, and H3PO3) at different potentials under ORR conditions in various electrolytes (HClO4, H3PO4, and H3PO3). It was found that H3PO3 adsorbs in a pyramidal configuration P(OH)3 through a Pt−P bond. The competition between H3PO4 and H3PO3 adsorption was studied, which should allow for a better understanding of the catalyst poisoning mechanism and thus assist in the development of strategies to mitigate this phenomenon in the future by minimizing H3PO3 generation by, for example, improved catalyst design or adapted operation conditions or changes in the electrolyte composition.
The scope of this paper is to illustrate the need for an improved quality assurance in fluorometry. For this purpose, instrumental sources of error and their influences on the reliability and comparability of fluorescence data are highlighted for frequently used photoluminescence techniques ranging from conventional macro- and microfluorometry over fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry to microarray technology as well as in vivo fluorescence imaging. Particularly, the need for and requirements on fluorescence standards for the characterization and performance validation of fluorescence instruments, to enhance the comparability of fluorescence data, and to enable quantitative fluorescence analysis are discussed. Special emphasis is dedicated to spectral fluorescence standards and fluorescence intensity standards.
The need for the traceable characterization of fluorescence instruments is emphasized from a chemists point of view, focusing on spectral fluorescence standards for the determination of the wavelength- and polarization-dependent relative spectral responsivity and relative spectral irradiance of fluorescence measuring systems, respectively. In a first step, major sources of error of fluorescence measurements and instrument calibration are revealed to underline the importance of this issue and to illustrate advantages and disadvantages of physical and chemical transfer standards for generation of spectral correction curves. Secondly, examples for sets of traceable chemical emission and excitation standards are shown that cover a broad spectral region and simple procedures for the determination of corrected emission spectra with acceptable uncertainties are presented. With proper consideration of the respective measurement principle and geometry, these dye-based characterization procedures can be not only applied to spectrofluorometers but also to other types of fluorescence measuring systems and even to Raman spectrometers.
Immunologische Verfahren haben während der vergangenen Jahrzehnte eine große Verbreitung in der Medizin gefunden. Grundlage dieser Verfahren ist die spezifische Bindung zwischen Antigen und Antikörper. Eine der wichtigsten Methoden zum sensitiven und quantitativen Nachweis biologisch relevanter Moleküle ist hierbei der Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).
Unter dem Aspekt der zahlreichen Einsatzgebiete ist die Frage nach Messunsicherheiten bei der Konzentrationsbestimmung von Biomolekülen mittels ELISA aus metrologischer Sicht von großem Interesse. Eine erhebliche Herausforderung stellt hierbei die Vielzahl von Einflussgrößen dar, die zudem hinsichtlich ihrer Messunsicherheit nur schwer zu quantifizieren sind. In Hinblick auf den Einsatz der Assays im Bereich der Laboratoriumsmedizin besteht die Notwendigkeit, Genauigkeit und Zuverlässigkeit dieser Messverfahren zu validieren. Zu diesem Zwecke wurden im Rahmen einer CCQM-Studie (CCQM- Comité consultatif pour la quantité de matiè re - métrologie en chimie ) internationale Vergleichsmessungen an einem ELISA zur Zytokinbestimmung (humanes Interferon-a) durchgeführt, an denen sich die PTB beteiligt hat.
In the second part of this two-part series on the state-of-the-art comparability of corrected emission spectra, we have extended this assessment to the broader community of fluorescence spectroscopists by involving 12 field laboratories that were randomly selected on the basis of their fluorescence measuring equipment. These laboratories performed a reference material (RM)-based fluorometer calibration with commercially available spectral fluorescence standards following a standard operating procedure that involved routine measurement conditions and the data evaluation software LINKCORR developed and provided by the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM). This instrument-specific emission correction curve was subsequently used for the determination of the corrected emission spectra of three test dyes, X, QS, and Y, revealing an average accuracy of 6.8% for the corrected emission spectra. This compares well with the relative standard uncertainties of 4.2% for physical standard-based spectral corrections demonstrated in the first part of this study (previous paper in this issue) involving an international group of four expert laboratories. The excellent comparability of the measurements of the field laboratories also demonstrates the effectiveness of RM-based correction procedures.
The development of fluorescence applications in the life and material sciences has proceeded largely without sufficient concern for the measurement uncertainties related to the characterization of fluorescence instruments. In this first part of a two-part series on the state-of-the-art comparability of corrected emission spectra, four National Metrology Institutes active in high-precision steady-state fluorometry performed a first comparison of fluorescence measurement capabilities by evaluating physical transfer standard (PTS)-based and reference material (RM)-based calibration methods. To identify achievable comparability and sources of error in instrument calibration, the emission spectra of three test dyes in the wavelength region from 300 to 770 nm were corrected and compared using both calibration methods. The results, obtained for typical spectrofluorometric (0°/90° transmitting) and colorimetric (45°/0° front-face) measurement geometries, demonstrated a comparability of corrected emission spectra within a relative standard uncertainty of 4.2% for PTS- and 2.4% for RM-based spectral correction when measurements and calibrations were performed under identical conditions. Moreover, the emission spectra of RMs F001 to F005, certified by BAM, Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, were confirmed. These RMs were subsequently used for the assessment of the comparability of RM-based corrected emission spectra of field laboratories using common commercial spectrofluorometers and routine measurement conditions in part 2 of this series (subsequent paper in this issue).
Determination of radon exhalation from construction materials using VOC emission test chambers
(2013)
The inhalation of 222Rn (radon) decay products is one of the most important reasons for lung cancer after smoking. Stony building materials are an important source of indoor radon. This article describes the determination of the exhalation rate of stony construction materials by the use of commercially available measuring devices in combination with VOC emission test chambers. Five materials – two types of clay brick, clinker brick, light-weight concrete brick, and honeycomb brick – generally used for wall constructions were used for the experiments. Their contribution to real room concentrations was estimated by applying room model parameters given in ISO 16000-9, RP 112, and AgBB. This knowledge can be relevant, if for instance indoor radon concentration is limited by law. The test set-up used here is well suited for application in test laboratories dealing with VOC emission testing.
Gußeisen mit Kugelgraphit und ferritischer bzw. ferritisch-perlitischer Matrix gehören zu einer Werkstoffgruppe, die ausreichende Festigkeiten mit hohen Duktilitäten verbindet. Mit der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden die Kenntnisse über die Zusammenhänge zwischen der chemischen Zusammensetzung, der Gefügeausbildung und den mechanischen Eigenschaften erweitert. Dabei wurden sowohl unterschiedliche Gießverfahren (Sand- und Kokillenguß) in der Herstellung, als auch die Auswirkungen von Umwandlungsprozessen im Gefüge infolge von Wärmebehandlungen diskutiert. Die statistische Auswertung von Einzelergebnissen aus der qualitätssichernden Begutachtung von Lager- und Transportbehältern für radioaktive Stoffe wurden durch mechanische und bruchmechanische Untersuchungen an 24 Werkstoffsorten aus Gußeisen mit Kugelgraphit ergänzt.
Multiple anthropogenic stressors cause worldwide amphibian declines. Among several poorly investigated causes is global pollution of aquatic ecosystems with endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs). These substances interfere with the endocrine system and can affect the sexual development of vertebrates including amphibians. We test the susceptibility to an environmentally relevant contraceptive, the artificial estrogen 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), simultaneously in three deeply divergent systematic anuran families, a model-species, Xenopus laevis (Pipidae), and two non-models, Hyla arborea (Hylidae) and Bufo viridis (Bufonidae). Our new approach combines synchronized tadpole exposure to three EE2-concentrations (50, 500, 5,000 ng/L) in a flow-through-system and pioneers genetic and histological sexing of metamorphs in non-model anurans for EDC-studies. This novel methodology reveals striking quantitative differences in genetic-male-to-phenotypic-female sex reversal in non-model vs. model species. Our findings qualify molecular sexing in EDC-analyses as requirement to identify sex reversals and state-of-the-art approaches as mandatory to detect speciesspecific vulnerabilities to EDCs in amphibians.
Between Aromatic and Quinoid Structure: A Symmetrical UV to Vis/NIR Benzothiadiazole Redox Switch
(2020)
Reversibly switching the light absorption of organic molecules by redox processes is of interest for applications in sensors, light harvesting, smart materials, and medical diagnostics. This work presents a symmetrical benzothiadiazole (BTD) derivative with a high fluorescence quantum yield in solution and in the crystalline state and shows by spectroelectrochemical analysis that reversible switching of UV absorption in the neutral state, to broadband Vis/NIR absorption in the 1st oxidized state, to sharp band Vis absorption in the 2nd oxidized state, is possible.
For the one-electron oxidized species, formation of a delocalized radical is confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroelectrochemistry. Furthermore, our results reveal an increasing quinoidal distortion upon the 1st and 2nd oxidation, which can be used as the leitmotif for the development of BTD based redox switches.
Amphibians are undergoing a global decline. One poorly investigated reason could be the pollution of aquatic habitats by endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs). We tested the susceptibility to the synthetically stabilized estrogen 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in three deeply diverged anuran species, differing in sex determination systems, types of gonadogenesis and larval ecologies. To understand whether data from the amphibian model Xenopus laevis (Pipidae) are analogous and applicable to only distantly related non-model amphibians, tadpoles of X. laevis, Hyla arborea (Hylidae) and Bufo viridis (Bufonidae) were simultaneously exposed to 50, 500 and 5000 ng/L EE2 from hatching until completion of metamorphosis, using a flow-through-system under identical experimental conditions. Comparing molecularly established genetic with histologically assessed phenotypic sex in all species, we have recently shown that EE2 provoked numerous genetic-male-to-phenotypic-female sex reversals and mixed sex individuals, confirming overall its expected feminizing effect. In the present study, we focus on the influence of EE2 on gonadal and somatic development. Anatomy and histology revealed several species-specific effects. In both non-model species, H. arborea and B. viridis, high numbers of anatomically impaired gonads were observed. In H. arborea, exposed to 5000 ng/L EE2, numerous underdeveloped gonads were detected. Whereas EE2 did not alter snout-to-vent length and body weight of X. laevis metamorphs, H. arborea showed a treatment-dependent decrease, while B. viridis exhibited an increase in body weight and snout-to-vent length. Apart from a concentration-dependent occurrence of yellowish skin color in several H. arborea, no organ-specific effects were detected. Since EE2 ubiquitously occurs in many aquatic ecosystems and affects sexual and somatic development, among EDCs, it may indeed contribute to amphibian decline. The inter-species variation in developmental EE2-effects corroborates species-specific vulnerability differences towards EDCs between deeply diverged amphibian groups
Redox switches are applied in various fields of research, including molecular lifts, electronic devices and sensors. Switching the absorbance between UV and Vis/NIR by redox processes is of interest for applications in light harvesting or biomedicine.
Here, we present a series of push-pull benzothiadiazole derivatives with high fluorescence quantum yields in solution and in the crystalline solid state. Spectroelectrochemical analysis reveals the switching of UV-absorption in the neutral state to Vis/NIR absorption in the reduced state. We identify the partial irreversibility of the switching process, which appears to be reversible on the cyclic voltammetry timescale.
Small-scale variations in mineral chemistry, textures, and platinum group element (PGE) mineralization were investigated in the Lower and Middle Group chromitite layers LG6, LG6a, MG1, MG2, and MG2 II from vertical drill core profiles at the Thaba mine in the northwestern limb of the Bushveld Complex. We present detailed geochemical profiles of chromite composition and chromite crystal size distribution curves to shed light on the processes of chromite accumulation and textural modification as well as mineralization. Multiple samples within each layer were assayed for PGE concentrations, and the respective platinum group mineral association was determined by mineral liberation analysis (MLA).
There is strong evidence for postcumulus changes in the chromitites. The crystal size distribution curves suggest that the primary chromite texture was coarsened by a combination of adcumulus growth and textural equilibration, while compaction of the crystal mush played only a minor role. Mineral compositions were also modified by postcumulus processes, but because of the very high modal amount of chromite and its local preservation in orthopyroxene oikocrysts, that phase retained much primary information. Vertical variations of chromite composition within chromitite layers and from one layer to another do not support the idea of chromite accumulation from crystal-rich slurries or crystal settling from a large magma chamber. Instead, we favor a successive buildup of chromitite layers by repeated injections of relatively thin layers of chromite-saturated magmas, with in situ crystallization occurring at the crystal mush-magma interface. The adcumulus growth of chromite grains to form massive chromitite required addition of Cr to the layers, which we attribute to downward percolation from the overlying magma.
The PGE concentrations are elevated in all chromitite layers compared to adjacent silicate rocks and show a systematic increase upward from LG6 (avg 807 ppb Ir + Ru + Rh + Pt + Pd + Au) to MG2 II (avg 2,062 ppb).
There are also significant internal variations in all layers, with enrichments at hanging and/or footwalls. The enriched nature of chromitites in PGEs compared to host pyroxenites is a General feature, independent of the layer thickness. The MLA results distinguish two principal groups of PGE mineral associations: the LG6, LG6, and MG1 are dominated by the malanite series, laurite, and PGE sulfarsenides, while the MG2 and MG2 II layers are characterized by laurite and PGE sulfides as well as Pt-Fe-Sn and PGE-Sb-Bi-Pb alloys. Differences in the PGE associations are attributed to postcumulus alteration of the MG2 and MG2 II layer, while the chromitites below, particularly LG6 and LG6a, contain a more pristine association.
In this work, we describe a simple solvothermal route for the synthesis of Eu3+-doped gadolinium orthovanadate nanocrystals (Eu:GdVO4−PAA) functionalized with poly(acrylic)acid (PAA), that are applicable as cell labeling probes for multimodal cellular imaging. The Eu3+ doping of the vanadate matrix provides optical functionality, due to red photoluminescence after illumination with UV light. The Gd3+ ions of the nanocrystals reduce the T1 relaxation time of surrounding water protons, allowing these nanocrystals to act as a positive MRI contrast agent with a r1 relaxivity of 1.97 mM−1 s−1. Low background levels of Eu3+, Gd3+, and V5+ in biological systems make them an excellent label for elemental microscopy by Laser Ablation (LA)-ICP-MS. Synthesis resulted in polycrystalline nanocrystals with a hydrodynamic diameter of 55 nm and a crystal size of 36.7 nm, which were further characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The multifunctional nanocrystals were subsequently used for intracellular labeling of both human adipose-derived stem cells (MSCs) and A549 (adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial) cells.
A new fluorescent pentaphene derivative is presented that differs
from hexabenzocoronene (HBC) by one carbon atom in the basal
plane skeleton. A 500% increased fluorescence quantum yield
is measured compared to the HBC derivative. The pentaphene
compound, obtained by a modified Scholl oxidation, is also emissive
in the solid-state, due to the packing motif in the crystal.
The present work shows results on elemental distribution analyses in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin films for solar cells performed by use of wavelength-dispersive and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) in a scanning electron microscope, EDX in a transmission electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron, angle-dependent soft X-ray emission, secondary ion-mass (SIMS), time-of-flight SIMS, sputtered neutral mass, glow-discharge optical emission and glow-discharge mass, Auger electron, and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, by use of scanning Auger electron microscopy, Raman depth profiling, and Raman mapping, as well as by use of elastic recoil detection analysis, grazing-incidence X-ray and electron backscatter diffraction, and grazing-incidence X-ray fluorescence analysis. The Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin films used for the present comparison were produced during the same identical deposition run and exhibit thicknesses of about 2 µm. The analysis techniques were compared with respect to their spatial and depth resolutions, measuring speeds, availabilities, and detection limits.
Depth profiling of electrically non-conductive layered samples by RF-GDOES and HFM plasma SNMS
(2001)
The work is intended to compare the capabilities of two similar depth profiling techniques to analyse electrically non-conductive samples. In order to get a better evaluation of the depth resolution, various multilayer sandwiches, such as SiO2/TiO2 and Si3N4/SiO2 deposited on glass substrates have been investigated. Optimised depth profiles are presented for both methods, glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (GDOES) and radiofrequency mode (known as HFM in the SNMS literature) of plasma secondary neutral mass spectrometry (SNMS). The optimisation procedure, necessary to get the best set of plasma parameters, which result in the optimal depth resolution, is also described for one selected sample. Additionally, sputtering crater profilometry was carried out in order to check out the flatness of the sputtered crater. The influence of the thickness of the sample substrate on the sputtering rate is discussed. Finally, advantages and disadvantages of the use of these two depth profiling methods, especially for the non-conductive samples, are concluded from this comparative study. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) analysis of a cross-sectioned sample was carried out in order to get supplementary information.
Clear evidence of the effects caused by hydrogen, introduced in different forms in an analytical glow discharge source (GDS) operated with argon, is presented for the different matrix elements copper, stainless steel, titanium, aluminium and silicon. When hydrogen is present even in small quantities in argon, not only are there significant changes in the emission line intensities of most elements (analyte and plasma species), but also new spectral features, such as emission bands of new compounds (hydrides of sputtered sample constituents) and a continuous background in the range ~220440 nm. Moreover, the discharge current (the dependent parameter in our experiments) decreases with increasing hydrogen concentration. Different modes of hydrogen introduction, externally in gaseous form or sputtered as a sample constituent, cause very similar effects in terms of discharge current, line intensity (of analyte and plasma gas) and emission continua, which implies similar changes in the discharge processes in the two cases. The excitation of the hydrogen continuum appears to quench the population of the argon metastables (11.55 and 11.72 eV) and, consequently, other elementary processes in the plasma in which the argon metastables take part, but to a different extent for each analyte.
The influence of hydrogen contained in a sample or otherwise introduced into a glow discharge source (GDS) is here extensively experimentally presented for the case of copper as a sample by means of the addition of small quantities of molecular hydrogen (<1% relative partial pressure) to the argon carrier gas. The progressive addition of molecular hydrogen causes different intensity changes particular to the individual lines of different species such as atomic (Cu I) and ionic (Cu II) copper, and also atomic (Ar I) and ionic (Ar II) argon. Some interesting features of the emission spectrum of hydrogen such as its line, band and even continuum spectrum are observed. It was also found that the depth resolution becomes worse even at very low concentrations of hydrogen.
In order to gain an insight into the numerous effects caused by the addition of hydrogen to an argon glow discharge, comparison experiments have been made with neon as carrier gas. In some cases the effects are diminished or even disappear. Using various bulk samples, such as copper, steel and titanium, sputtered in a neon glow discharge, the intensities of the analytical lines are affected by the presence of hydrogen in different ways from argon; the dependent parameter (the discharge current in this work) and the sputtering rate vary less than in argon. The crater shape and roughness are also affected and these effects are discussed qualitatively. Probably the most important spectral feature caused by hydrogen in the case of a discharge in argon is the emission of a continuous background. This does not appear in neon under similar discharge conditions and only weakly at high hydrogen concentrations. This supports the suggestion, made in previous work, that an effective quenching process of the argon metastables (11.55 and 11.72 eV) is Penning excitation of the hydrogen molecules, and subsequent decay to a repulsive state with emission of the continuum; in neon the energy match does not occur. It was found with neon, as with argon, that similar features occur as when hydrogen is introduced in different ways into the glow discharge: as a molecular gas contamination or as a constituent of the sample. Glow discharge mass spectrometry (GD-MS) experiments carried out with both argon and neon support the results obtained by optical emission spectrometry (OES) and provide further relevant information.
A Round Robin (RR) exercise on selected coated materials has been carried out with the aim of finding the optimal conditions for the analysis of nitride layers with GD-OES. Such pre-normative work is necessary for the evaluation of parallel development of the production of nitride layers as certified reference materials (CRMs). Two types of samples, TiN layer and VN layer, respectively, with chemical compositions close to stoichiometry and a thickness of ~3 µm, deposited on a steel substrate, have been provided to the RR participants. Additionally, another type of sample, a (100 nm CrNi/100 nm Cu) multilayer (ML) stack deposited on silicon wafer has also been included in the RR. This sample can be used as a CRM for checking GD spectrometer conditions and it has been proved helpful in further development of GDS instrumentation and methodology. The RR exercise has been performed in the frame of the EC Thematic Network on Glow Discharge Spectroscopy for Spectrochemical Analysis (GDS-Net).
Metal-based gas diffusion electrodes are utilized in chlor-alkali electrolysis or electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide, allowing the reaction to proceed at high current densities. In contrast to planar electrodes and predominantly 2D designs, the industrially required high current densities can be achieved by intense contact between the gas and liquid phase with the catalytically active surfaces. An essential asset for the knowledge-based design of tailored electrodes is therefore in-depth information on electrolyte distribution and intrusion into the electrode’s porous structure. Lab-based and synchrotron radiography allow for monitoring this process operando. Herein, we describe the development of a cell design that can be modularly adapted and successfully used to monitor both the oxygen reduction reaction and the electrochemical reduction of CO2 as exemplary and currently very relevant examples of gas-liquid reactions by only minor modifications to the cell set-up. With the reported cell design, we were able to observe the electrolyte distribution within the gas diffusion electrode during cell operation in realistic
conditions.