Stanley Pons

Electrochemically induced nuclear fusion of deuterium

It is known that at potentials negative to + 50 mV on the reversible hydrogen scale, the lattice is in the p-phase, hydrogen is in the form of protons (as shown by the migration in an electric field) and is highly mobile (D = lo-’ cm2 s-l for the o-phase at 300 K). The overall reaction path of D, evolution consists of steps (i) and (ii) [2] so that the chemical potential of dissolved D+ is normally determined by the relative rates of these two steps. The establishment of negative overpotentials on the outgoing interface of palladium membrane electrodes for hydrogen discharge at the ingoing interface [3] [determined by the balance of all the steps (i) to (iv)] demonstrates that the chemical potential can be raised to high values. Our own experiments with palladium diffusion tubes indicate that values as high as 0.8 eV can be achieved readily [4] (values as high as 2 eV may be achievable). The astronomical magnitude of this value can be appreciated readily: attempts to attain this level via the compression of D, [step (iv)] would require pressures in excess of 1O26 atm. In spite

Calorimetry of the palladium-deuterium-heavy water system

Abstract It is shown that accurate values of the rates of enthalpy generation in the electrolysis of light and heavy water can be obtained from measurements in simple, single compartment Dewar type calorimeter cells. This precise evaluation of the rate of enthalpy generation relies on the non-linear regression fitting of the “black-box” model of the calorimeter to an extensive set of temperature time measurements. The method of data analysis gives a systematic underestimate of the enthalpy output and, in consequence, a slightly negative excess rate of enthalpy generation for an extensive set of blank experiments using both light and heavy water. By contrast, the electrolysis of heavy water at palladium electrodes shows a positive excess rate of enthalpy generation; this rate increases markedly with current density, reaching values of approximately 100 W cm−3 at approximately 1 A cm−2. It is also shown that prolonged polarization of palladium cathodes in heavy water leads to bursts in the rate of enthalpy generation; the thermal output of the cells exceeds the enthalpy input (or the total energy input) to the cells by factors in excess of 40 during these bursts. The total specific energy output during the bursts as well as the total specific energy output of fully charged electrodes subjected to prolonged polarization (5–50 MJ cm−3) is 102–103 times larger than the enthalpy of reaction of chemical processes.

Vibrational spectroscopy of the electrode-electrolyte interface: Part IV. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy: Experimental considerations

Abstract The experimental considerations necessary to effect successful recording of in situ vibrational spectroscopy at the electrode-solution interface are described. In this work, the Fourier transform infrared spectrometer is used.

The behavior of microdisk and microring electrodes

Abstract An exact analysis of diffusion to microdisk and microring electrodes is presented for steady-state conditions and for the assumptions of constant concentration over the surface of the disk and constant flux over the surface of the ring electrodes. Mass transfer to ring electrodes is progressively enhanced by reducing their thickness, which also reduces changes in concentration with position over the surface of the ring as well as the differences between the mass transfer coefficient for the constant concentration and constant flux conditions. Thin rings are therefore recommended for investigations of electrode kinetics.

Simulation of edge effects in electroanalytical experiments by orthogonal collocation—VI. Cyclic voltammetry at ultramicroelectrode ensembles

Abstract Orthogonal collocation is used to simulate cyclic voltammetry at ensembles of disc ultra-microelectrodes. The effect of slow electron transfer is considered and a model is proposed for Ohmic drop across the face of the electrode.

Calorimetry of the PD-D2O System: from Simplicity via Complications to Simplicity.

We present here one aspect of our recent research on the calorimetry of the Pd/D2O system which has been concerned with high rates of specific excess enthalpy generation (> 1kWcm -3 ) at temperatures close to (or at) the boiling point of the electrolyte solution. This has led to a particularly simple method of deriving the rate of excess enthalpy production based on measuring the times required to boil the cells to dryness, this process being followed by using time-lapse video recordings. Our use of this simple method as well as our investigations of the results of other research groups prompts us to present also other simple methods of data analysis which we have used in the preliminary evaluations of these systems.

The behavior of microdisk and microring electrodes. Mass transport to the disk in the unsteady state: The ac response

Abstract The analysis of the transient response of a finite geometry disk electrode (embedded in an infinite insulating plane) subjected to an ac flux perturbation is discussed. The real and imaginary components of the impedance are derived. The analysis makes use of the properties of discontinuous definite Bessel integrals.

A theoretical analysis of the vibrational spectrum of carbon monoxide on platinum metal electrodes

The vibrational frequencies of carbon monoxide adsorbed on a platinum metal electrode are obtained in terms of discrete interatomic interactions. We show that for linear changes in the binding energy of carbon and oxygen to the surface there is a linear dependence of the shift in CO vibrational frequency. Based on our model, we suggest that there is a direct, linear relationship between the binding energy and the applied electrostatic potential. As a result, we predict a linear dependence of the frequency on electrochemical potential in accord with experiment. Further, we calculate a Stark tuning rate of 9.0×10−9 cm−1/(V/m). We also demonstrate that the application of a relatively large external electric field (of the order of 3×109 V/m) is necessary to account for the observed vibrational frequency shift. Because the surface charge of the electrode must change in order to give rise to changes in the electric field, we conclude that a combination of chemical bonding and electric field interactions are req...

The behavior of microdisk and microring electrodes: application of Neumann's integral theorem to the prediction of the steady state response of microdisks

Abstract It is shown that Neumanns integral theorem can be used to derive the steady-state behavior of microdisk electrodes. Results obtained previously using other methods for uniform surface concentration and uniform flux boundary conditions are derived as limiting cases of a general equation which describes irreversible and quasi-reversible reaction kinetics. It is shown that the approach can be used to assess the effects of the tertiary current distribution and to predict the behavior for electrode reactions which are non-linear in the concentration terms.

Ultramicroelectrode sensors and detectors: Considerations of the stability, sensitivity, reproducibility, and mechanism of ion transport in gas phase chromatography and in high performance liquid phase chromatography

Abstract We describe in this paper the use of ultramicroelectrodes as sensitive sensors and detectors in the gas phase and in liquid solutions of high resistance; particularly aspects regarding the sensitivity, stability, and reproducibility of of the devices. The advantages of these detectors can be improved notably by appropriate choice of method of pretreatment of the electrode surface. The surface separating the working ultramicroelectrode from the secondary/reference electrode provides the medium for ionic conduction for the cell. The mechanism for ion conduction involves proton migration and diffusion across the surface of the separator.