Versatile thin layer spectroelectrochemical cell employing specular reflectance

Abstract

A versatile thin layer spectroelectrochemical cell employing specular reflection of the incident light beam from the electrode surface is described. Its application to in-situ uv–vis and FTIR characterization of the products of electrochemical reactions and to thin layer voltammetry and coulometry as well as conventional cyclic voltammetry is demonstrated for the oxidation of tetraphenylporphinatozinc in dichloroethane/tetrabutylammonium perchlorate solution. The advantages and disadvantages of this type of cell as compared to more conventional sandwich type optically transparent thin layer electrodes are discussed.