The Chalkboard: Stretching Cyclic Voltammetry to its Potential Limit

Abstract

Electrochemistry’s reach is extensive, from fundamentals, material and commodity synthesis and reactor engineering to energy conversion devices. For most areas of interest, experimental conditions are well controlled. However, in some cases, experimental conditions are significantly more complex because applications are located in the field and exposed to the elements. Sensors and innovations designed to abate corrosion are in contact with the environment. These situations add complexity to design activities and data interpretation. Atmospheric air contains hundreds of species (mostly at trace levels), whereas oceans are effective solvents for ions, inorganic (geological features contact) and organic (biological activity) species. A growing interest in the circular economy will also result in similar and uncontrolled experimental conditions for envisaged electrochemical processes. Nuclear reprocessing of fuel rods to recover uranium involves separating noble, transuranic, lanthanide, and other elements. Battery electrodes recycling by hydrometallurgical processes will lead to multi-component solutions. Polymer recycling in bulk using electrochemical processes is desirable to minimize costs, which will create an assemblage of organic components (diverse polymers, leftover synthesis reactants, dyes, stabilizers, corrosion inhibitors). For process control of electrochemical recycling, effective methods are needed to assess the composition of multi-component solutions.