Electrochemistry in flames: a preliminary communication

We propose that the ionised gaseous media of a flame may be a suitable medium in which electrochemical phenomena can be investigated. This communication contains preliminary investigations into electrochemical phenomena in the gas phase, by considering the media of a flame as an electrolyte. A hypothesis is presented which possibly explains the occurrence of an electrochemical potential established at a metallic electrode surface when inserted into the flame. Using cyclic voltammetry with a three-electrode system, we observe current steps, which we have interpreted as Faradaic reduction of iron and copper ions introduced into the flame. Although the interpretations presented here are at this stage speculative, the results open new avenues for research and applications of electrochemistry by proposing ionised gaseous media as vehicles for gas phase electrochemistry.