Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 13, 2026

Self-standing Electrochemical Set-up to Enrich Anode-respiring Bacteria On-site
Published on: July 24, 2018
Enhancement of anodic current attributed to oxygen evolution on α-Fe2O3 electrode by microwave oscillating electric
Fuminao Kishimoto1,2, Masayuki Matsuhisa3, Shinichiro Kawamura1
1Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology. E4-3, 2-12-1, Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8552, Japan.
Abstract:
Various microwave effects on chemical reactions have been observed, reported and compared to those carried out under conventional heating. These effects are classified into thermal effects, which arise from the temperature rise caused by microwaves, and non-thermal effects, which are attributed to interactions between substances and the oscillating electromagnetic fields of microwaves. However, there have been no direct or intrinsic demonstrations of the non-thermal effects based on physical insights. Here we demonstrate the microwave enhancement of oxidation current of water to generate dioxygen with using an α-Fe2O3 electrode induced by pulsed microwave irradiation under constantly applied potential. The rectangular waves of current density under pulsed microwave irradiation were observed, in other words the oxidation current of water was increased instantaneously at the moment of the introduction of microwaves, and stayed stably at the plateau under continuous microwave irradiation. The microwave enhancement was observed only for the α-Fe2O3 electrode with the specific surface electronic structure evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. This discovery provides a firm evidence of the microwave special non-thermal effect on the electron transfer reactions caused by interaction of oscillating microwaves and irradiated samples.
More Related Videos
05:47Preparation of Polyoxometalate-based Photo-responsive Membranes for the Photo-activation of Manganese Oxide Catalysts
Published on: August 7, 2018
06:39Author Spotlight: Design and Evaluation of Au-Electroplated Carbon Fiber Cloth Electrodes for Hydrogen Peroxide Fuel Cells
Published on: October 20, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Voltammetry: Factors Affecting Measurements
Processes at Electrodes
Standing Waves in a Cavity
Induced Electric Fields: Applications
Radical Oxidation of Allylic and Benzylic Alcohols
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Potassium Permanganate