Electrochemical flow systems are broadly used in research and applied fields such as environmental, industrial and medical monitoring because they cost-effectively determine concentrations, yield energy data (redox potential) and elucidate reaction mechanism via kinetic analysis. The use of a flow system enables the automation of a process and can provide a much needed design flexibility. Moreover, the combination of reaction-oriented electrochemical flow systems with species-focused spectroscopy enables complete analysis of reactions involving multiple electron transfer steps, as well as unstable intermediates.

In this work, we present a new type of flow platform for electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical measurements is presented. Finite element method simulations confirm that the hydrodynamic profile within the device is not turbulent, and provides an analytical platform for the investigation of homogenous kinetics, radical lifetimes and reaction mechanisms. The modular “plug and play” configuration of the platform allows one to carry out electrochemistry and spectroscopy individually or simultaneously. Specific demonstrations of electroanalytical measurements using the flow system platform includes voltammetric analysis of organometallic compounds and quantitative analysis of ascorbic acid in commercial orange juice samples. Combined spectroelectrochemical (SEC) demonstrations include electrochemical luminescence of ruthenium compounds and ligand exchange reactions of iron complexes using UV-Vis spectroscopy.

Noyhouzer et al, Anal. Chem., 2017, 89 (10), pp 5246–5253