An in situ electrochemical soft X-ray spectromicroscopy investigation of Fe galvanically coupled to Au.
In this paper we report a pioneering electrochemical study of the galvanic coupling of Au and Fe in neutral aqueous solutions containing sulphate and fluoride ions, carried out by synchrotron-based in situ soft X-ray imaging and X-ray absorption microspectroscopy. The investigation was performed at the TwinMic X-ray Microscopy station at Elettra synchrotron facility combining X-ray imaging with μ-XAS with sub-micron lateral resolution. Using a purposely developed model thin-layer wet cell the morphology and chemical evolution of Fe electrodes in contact with aqueous solutions containing Na2SO4 and NaF have been investigated. The obtained results shed light on fundamental aspects regarding stability of Fe-based metallic bipolar plates in different electrochemical environments, an important issue for durability of polymer-electrolyte fuel cells. Imaging morphological features typical of the relevant electrochemical processes with chemical contrast, yields details on the spatial distribution and speciation of Fe resulting from corrosion of the Fe electrodes in the working fuel cells.
Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., S.S. 14, km 163.5, Area Science Park, 34149 Trieste, Basovizza, Italy.
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Gianoncelli
Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., S.S. 14, km 163.5, Area Science Park, 34149 Trieste, Basovizza, Italy.
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Kaulich
Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., S.S. 14, km 163.5, Area Science Park, 34149 Trieste, Basovizza, Italy.
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Kiskinova
CNR-INFM TASC National Laboratory (Advanced Technology and nanoScience National Laboratory of National Research Council), S.S. 14, km 163.5, Area Science Park, 34149 Trieste, Italy.
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Prasciolu
Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell'Innovazione, Università del Salento, via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy.
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Urzo
Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell'Innovazione, Università del Salento, via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy.
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Bozzini