Optical Spectroscopy of Surfaces, Interfaces, and Thin Films

Abstract

Figure 4. (a) Schematic for the RBC microlens for membrane imaging. (b) Optical microscopic images comparing membrane images without (b1) and with an RBC microlens (b2). (c,d) Scanning imaging using one RBC microlens with the spherical shape (c1−c8) and the normal shape (d1− d8). Scale bar: 10 μm.

Impedance Analysis of Electrochemical Systems

“…Finally, to complete the electrical/electrochemical analysis of the surface, it could be interesting to couple impedance to other measurement techniques, as has already been done with electrohydrodynamic impedance, − pressure impedance spectroscopy as applied to fuel cells, ,, thermoelectrochemical impedance spectroscopy, , intensity-modulated photocurrent spectroscopy, and electrogravimetry impedance spectroscopy. − Indeed, if we consider local electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (LEIS), which is currently limited by the size of the probe and the duration of the measurement, coupling with optical measurements to measure locally the surface reactivity can be an elegant and effective approach, even if it remains limited to only a few groups over the world. − In the same way, the coupling with inductively coupled plasma techniques, recently proposed by Ogle’s group, , also seems promising since it combines chemical and electrical analyses and can provide a complex transfer function that is rich in information.…”

In Situ Confocal Raman Microscopy of Redox Polymer Films on Bulk Electrode Supports

“…Strategies have focused on the development of polymers that mediate charge transport through a self-exchange-based electron conduction mechanism and remain active and stable during use. ,,− Alongside the progress in synthetic approaches that improve current densities, polymer film durability, and, in the case of bioelectrocatalytic membranesbiocompatibility, have been improvements in methods for the study of processes that limit material performance. ,,,,,, Spectroscopic techniques capable of probing electrode-supported redox-active layers in real time under reaction conditions have been greatly sought-after. ,,, Infrared and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy are well suited to in situ investigations of phases near monolayer coverages on electrodes. (cf., refs – ) In the study of thin film and multilayer materials, however, these vibrational spectroscopic techniques are not as easily adapted. Sensitivity is lost as surface-enhanced electromagnetic fields decay and spectral band distortions develop in response to optical dispersion effects. ,, As a step toward overcoming these limitations, we recently investigated confocal Raman microscopy for quantitative in situ measurements within electrode-supported redox polymer films …”

Covalently linked pyrene antennas for optically dense yet aggregation-resistant light-harvesting systems

“…7 Mirroring this approach, the well-developed field of photocatalysis also uses light absorption to activate a wide range of otherwise inaccessible chemistry. 8–10…”

“…7 Mirroring this approach, the well-developed field of photocatalysis also uses light absorption to activate a wide range of otherwise inaccessible chemistry. [8][9][10] Improving the performance and feasibility of photocatalysts often requires increasing their absorption cross-section, 11 allowing higher reaction turnover with smaller amounts of catalyst or more complete absorption of a fixed quantity of illumination. 12 However, it is often challenging to engineer altered absorption bands without also impacting the photocatalytic reaction pathway.…”