Soret coefficient of trace ions determined with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in a thin cell. Theory and measurement

Abstract

The tendency of a substance to migrate due to a temperature gradient is known as thermodiffusion or the Soret effect. We believe that this is the first work that describes the study of the Soret effect using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in a non-isothermal thin cell, and shows how the Soret coefficient can be determined from these measurements. The effect of a temperature gradient in a thin cell is analyzed, both theoretically and experimentally. Our theoretical modeling of the system predicts the effect of key parameters to the impedance spectra. Experimentally we determine the Soret coefficient of the redox couple Fe(CN)64−/Fe(CN)63− in an aqueous KCl solution. It is found that the Soret coefficient decreases with increasing ionic strength in the studied concentration range.