Electrochemical cell, use of the electrochemical cell, and method for electrolytically contacting and electrochemically influencing a surface

Abstract

An electrochemical cell for electrolytically contacting and electrochemically inspecting surfaces which makes electrolytic contact with the surface through a body utilizing capillary action. The capillary force between surface and body utilizing capillary action prevents the electrolyte from escaping from the cell without the use of a sealing ring. The body utilizing capillary action allows the electrolyte to flow from an open porous container and wet the surface when the electrochemical cell contacts the surface. Escape of material from the open cell is prevented by the capillary action of the container and of the tip when the electrochemical cell is lifted from the surface. The electrochemical cell is independent of the force of gravity and enables measurements to be made on surfaces of any orientation. The electrochemical cell may be used to perform a multiplicity of electrochemical investigations and processes. The electrochemical cell may be moved over the surface continuously, thereby allowing electrochemical investigations or processes to be performed with lateral resolution. Due to the use of a maintenance-free reference electrode, the electrochemical cell may prefabricated commercially in complete form and stored for extended periods of time after closing.

1 . Electrochemical cell ( 1 ) for electrolytically contacting a surface with a defined electrolyte ( 15 ) and for electrochemically modifying the surface ( 7 ) by supplying current ( 8 ) between the surface ( 7 ) and a counterelectrode ( 5 ), with a body utilizing capillary action ( 2 ) being applied to the surface ( 7 ), with the electrolyte flowing from a container ( 3 ) through the body utilizing capillary action ( 2 ) onto the surface ( 7 ), and with the electrolyte locally wetting the surface, 
 characterized in    that the container ( 3 ) consists of a porous material.    
     
     
         2 . Electrochemical cell ( 1 ) according to  claim 1 , 
 characterized in,    that the container ( 3 ) is surrounded by an open casing which reduces evaporation of the electrolyte, the open casing being closable.    
     
     
         3 . Electrochemical cell ( 1 ) according to claims  1  or  2 , 
 characterized in,  
 that the counterelectrode ( 5 ) is immersed in the container.  
 
     
     
         4 . Electrochemical cell ( 1 ) according to one of claims  1  through  3 , 
 characterized in  
 that the body utilizing capillary action ( 2 ) has a cross-sectional area tapered toward the front.  
 
     
     
         5 . Electrochemical cell ( 1 ) according to one of claims  1  through  4 , 
 characterized in  
 that a reference electrode ( 6 ) is immersed in the container ( 3 ).  
 
     
     
         6 . Electrochemical cell ( 1 ) according to  claim 5 , 
 characterized in    that the reference electrode ( 6 ) consists of a silver surface coated with silver chloride or a tungsten surface.    
     
     
         7 . Electrochemical cell ( 1 ) according to one of claims  1  through  6 , 
 characterized in  
 that evaporation of the electrolyte from the body utilizing capillary action ( 2 ) is prevented by a jacket ( 9 ).  
 
     
     
         8 . Electrochemical cell ( 1 ) according to one of claims  1  through  7 , 
 characterized in  
 that a porous sheet ( 11 ) located between the body utilizing capillary action ( 2 ) and the surface ( 7 ) causes a flow of electrolyte at the surface ( 7 ).  
 
     
     
         9 . Electrochemical cell ( 1 ) according to  claim 8 , 
 characterized in    that the porous sheet ( 11 ) is in contact with an electrically conductive electrode ( 9 ).    
     
     
         10 . Use of the electrochemical cell ( 1 ) according to one of claims  1  through  9  to modify the electrochemical potential of the surface ( 7 ).  
     
     
         11 . Method for electrolytically contacting a surface with a defined electrolyte ( 15 ) and for electrochemical modifying the surface ( 7 ) by supplying current ( 8 ) between the surface ( 7 ) and a counterelectrode ( 5 ) of an electrochemical cell, with a body utilizing capillary action ( 2 ) being applied to the surface ( 7 ), 
 characterized in    that the electrolyte flows from a container ( 3 ) made of a porous material through the body utilizing capillary action ( 2 ) onto the surface ( 7 ), and that the electrolyte locally wets the surface ( 7 ).    
     
     
         12 . Method for electrolytically contacting a surface with a defined electrolyte ( 15 ) and for electrochemically modifying the surface ( 7 ) according to  claim 11 , 
 characterized in    that the electrochemical cell ( 1 ) is moved continuously over the surface ( 7 ) to be characterized.