The Adsorption of Urea on Polycrystalline Gold Electrodes
| dc.contributor.advisor | Burgess, Ian J | |
| dc.contributor.committeeMember | Wilson, Lee | |
| dc.contributor.committeeMember | Ghosh, Supratim | |
| dc.creator | Woods, April 1988- | |
| dc.creator.orcid | 0000-0003-0440-083X | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2016-09-21T15:49:49Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2016-09-21T15:49:49Z | |
| dc.date.created | 2016-08 | |
| dc.date.issued | 2016-09-21 | |
| dc.date.submitted | August 2016 | |
| dc.date.updated | 2016-09-21T15:49:49Z | |
| dc.description.abstract | The adsorption of urea on Au polycrystalline electrodes was investigated using infrared spectroscopy, surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and spectroelectrochemistry. Electrochemical investigation indicates urea adsorption on a polycrystalline Au electrode at neutral pH as long as the surface is not oxidized. Partial urea desorption occurs at 0.5 V vs Ag/AgCl and above 0.8 V vs Ag/AgCl Au oxidation occurs, desorbing the remaining urea. Adsorption modes of urea were studied using SEIRA spectroscopy. Urea can adsorb in one of three configurations; through both nitrogen atoms (I), through a single nitrogen atom (II), or through the oxygen atom (III). In H2O, adsorption occurs through both nitrogen atoms (I) and through a single nitrogen atom (II). For experiments in D2O adsorption occurs through both nitrogen atoms (II) and through the oxygen atom (III). The behavior of these adsorbates as a function of potential was studied using spectroelectrochemsitry, where an electrochemical cell with a Au coated IR window at the base is mounted on a benchtop spectrometer and the adsorbates at the surface are investigated as the applied potential is varied. In H2O, at potentials of 0.9 V all of II has desorbed while some of I remains. In D2O experiments, at potentials of 0.9 V all of III has desorbed while some of I remains. Adsorption studies of various possible breakdown products of urea indicates that no known product is being formed. | |
| dc.format.mimetype | application/pdf | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10388/7438 | |
| dc.subject | Urea | |
| dc.subject | SEIRAS | |
| dc.subject | Gold | |
| dc.subject | Infrared Spectroscopy | |
| dc.subject | Adsorption | |
| dc.title | The Adsorption of Urea on Polycrystalline Gold Electrodes | |
| dc.type | Thesis | |
| dc.type.material | text | |
| thesis.degree.department | Chemistry | |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Chemistry | |
| thesis.degree.grantor | University of Saskatchewan | |
| thesis.degree.level | Masters | |
| thesis.degree.name | Master of Science (M.Sc.) |