Objective The objective of the project is to use laser induced heating in electrochemical studies. By the use of short pulses, less than 10 ns, of high-power laser light (0.1-10 MW) it is possible to suddenly increase the temperature of an electrode surface. The electrochemical response to the change of the electrode temperature contains both kinetic and thermodynamic information. Since the change of the temperature takes place in a very short time scale it is possible to study very fast processes. On the other hand, for processes faster than the temperature change, thermodynamic information can be obtained from the analysis of the dependence of the potential drop with the temperature. We propose to apply first such a methodology to study complexation reaction of metallic cations with self-assembled monolayers terminated in functionalised groups. Such reactions have important applications for the development of sensors for electroanalysis of metals. Dependence of the complexation reaction on functional group, pH and the length of the alkyl chain can be studied with the laser induce temperature jump method.As a second application, we propose the use of ultramicroelectrodes for the study of the potentiostatic response to the temperature change. The use of ultramicroelectrode will allow the decrease of the cell time constant to the nanosecond time domain. Hence, in combination with the laser induced heating, ultramicroelectrodes can be used to study the kinetic of fast processes.The development of the present project would allow the introduction of a new technique in the electrochemistry group of Alicante, allowing the transference of knowledge acquired by the applicant during his fellowship in Oxford to the host institution. We expect to be able to set up this new technique properly in the Host Institution, allowing further studies of fast process in the future. We believe this line of research is very promising and will allow the group of Alicante to pioneer this kind of studies, that despite their fundamental importance, are not approached very often, due to the inherent difficulties associates with measurements in short time scales. In this respect, the training that the applicant received during his stay in Oxford will be very valuable in order to overcome the technical problems associated with fast measurements that may arise during the setting up of the technique. Fields of science natural scienceschemical scienceselectrochemistrynatural sciencesphysical sciencesthermodynamicsengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorsnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticslaser physics Programme(s) FP5-HUMAN POTENTIAL - Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Improving the human research potential and the socio-economic knowledge base" (1998-2002) Topic(s) Data not available Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme RGI - Research grants (individual fellowships) Coordinator UNIVERSITY OF ALICANTE EU contribution No data Address S/N,Ctra. San Vincente del Raspeig S/N 03080 ALICANTE Spain See on map Total cost No data
