Development of a novel Raman cell for the easy handling of spectroelectrochemical measurements

• Published in: Microchemical journal 2022-09, Vol.180, p.107614, Article 107614
• Main Authors: Ibáñez, David, Begoña González-García, María, Busto, Javier, Pérez-Junquera, Alejandro, Hernández-Santos, David, Fanjul-Bolado, Pablo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Organic media; Raman; Raman cell; SERS; Spectroelectrochemistry
• ISSN: 0026-265X; 1095-9149
• DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2022.107614

[Display omitted] •A novel Raman spectroelectrochemical cell is developed.•Working in aqueous solution as well as in organic media is allowed.•Simplicity and easy handling of the proposed cell facilitates its use.•Conventional electrodes can be easily used.•Assembly, disassembly and cleaning of the cell do not require complex protocols. In the present paper, the design, assembly, and different applications of a novel Raman spectroelectrochemical cell for conventional electrodes are described. The new cell is designed to focus the laser on the working electrode surface, and in this way, to obtain the spectroscopic information associated with the electrochemical processes that take place during the experiment. Furthermore, material selected for the fabrication allows the performance of spectroelectrochemical measurements in aqueous but also in organic solvents. Study of different electrochemical systems, such as ferro/ferricyanide redox couple, polymerization of pyrrole and characterization poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) as well as the spectroelectrochemical detection of tris(bipyridine)ruthenium(II) chloride (Rubpy) and nicotinamide have been studied to validate the cell and to demonstrate the performance of the device. In addition, the new device is demonstrated as an interesting tool for the development of new EC-SERS protocols for example in organic media, opening up new gates for future applications.