A temperature-controlled, anaerobic cell for direct electrochemical studies

The construction and operation of a cell for temperature-controlled, direct electrochemical studies of oxygen-sensitive materials are described. The borosilicate cell contains a pyrolytic graphite working electrode, a Ag/AgCl reference electrode, and a platinum counter electrode, all of which can be readily interchanged with other types of electrodes. It is surrounded by a water jacket constructed of steel and Lexan, which can easily maintain temperatures between 4 degrees C and at least 90 degrees C. The entire cell was designed to minimize the number, complexity, and expense of components, as well as minimize required sample volume (250 microliters) and sources of oxygen leakage. As examples of the cell's utility, the redox properties of two common organic redox dyes, methyl viologen and thionin, were determined by differential pulse voltammetry at temperatures from 30 to 90 degrees C.