Electrochemical cell, use of the electrochemical cell, and method for electrolytically contacting and electrochemically influencing a surface

Abstract

An electrochemical cell for electrolytically contacting and electrochemically inspecting surfaces which makes electrolytic contact with the surface through a body utilizing capillary action. The capillary force between surface and body utilizing capillary action prevents the electrolyte from escaping from the cell without the use of a sealing ring. The body utilizing capillary action allows the electrolyte to flow from an open porous container and wet the surface when the electrochemical cell contacts the surface. Escape of material from the open cell is prevented by the capillary action of the container and of the tip when the electrochemical cell is lifted from the surface. The electrochemical cell is independent of the force of gravity and enables measurements to be made on surfaces of any orientation. The electrochemical cell may be used to perform a multiplicity of electrochemical investigations and processes. The electrochemical cell may be moved over the surface continuously, thereby allowing electrochemical investigations or processes to be performed with lateral resolution. Due to the use of a maintenance-free reference electrode, the electrochemical cell may prefabricated commercially in complete form and stored for extended periods of time after closing.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an electrochemical cell for electrolytically contacting and electrochemically inspecting surfaces according to the preamble of the first claim.[0002] The invention further relates to an application of the electrochemical cell according to the preamble of the independent method claim.[0003] The invention further relates to a method for electrolytically contacting and electrochemically modifying a surface according to the preamble of the independent method claim.PRIOR ART[0004] Essentially, there are two types of electrochemical cells which are used for electrochemically inspecting surfaces. With one cell, the surface to be examined is immersed in an electrolyte. The advantage here is that even rough or uneven surfaces may be electrochemically examined. The disadvantage is that only the surfaces of small components may be examined, since larger ones would require a large quantity of electrolyte. Selective examination of specific regions of a surface is ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The disadvantage is that only the surfaces of small components may be examined, since larger ones would require a large quantity of electrolyte.

This method allows specific areas of the surface to be chosen selectively; however, the surface must be flat, and the size of the examined component is usually also restricted.

A significant problem with this type of cell is the gap created between the sealing ring and the surface.

In this gap, electrochemical inspection is possible only to a limited degree.

In addition, this gap is the site in which crevice corrosion tends to occur.

The sealing ring therefore results in undesirably uneven performance.

However, since a microscope is used here to apply the capillary, here as well the size of the examined component is limited.

The fabrication and handling of capillaries is also expensive and ill-suited for industrial use.

In addition, the problem of the sealing ring remains unsolved.

The result is that the saturated potassium chloride solution is able to remain in contact with the electrolyte, and any

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