A new reflection–transmission bidimensional spectroelectrochemistry cell: Electrically controlled release of chemicals from a conducting polymer

Bidimensional spectroelectrochemistry is an analytical technique that provides simultaneously one electrochemical and two spectroscopic signals. Taking the plane of the electrode surface as a spatial reference, normal-beam and parallel-beam UV–Vis absorbance signals are simultaneously obtained, which convey important information about the electrochemical systems studied. A new bidimensional spectroelectrochemistry cell is presented in this work. Based on a previous model, the new cell uses a reflection probe to enhance the normal-beam signal. Moreover, the new arrangement of the normal-beam allows us to use any kind of solid electrode. The new cell is validated using a standard system, o-tolidine. The usefulness of the cell is demonstrated by studying the electrically controlled release of hexacyanoferrate from a polypyrrole film. Our experiments show that not only hexacyanoferrate but also oligomers retained in the film are released.