Vapourtec and Prof. Thomas Wirth of Cardiff University collaborated to develop the Ion continuous flow electrochemical reactor. This collaboration aimed to develop an extremely versatile and user-friendly reactor for laboratory-scale electrochemistry research.
Features of the Ion Electrochemical Reactor
- Alternatives for standalone or integrated operation
- Both R-Series and E-Series systems are compatible
- Capacity to heat and cool the reactor between -10 °C and 100 °C
- Functioning at pressures of up to 5 bars
- Simple to assemble and disassemble, with no leaks
- There are 20 electrode materials available.
- Uses flat electrodes that are 5 cm by 5 cm. There are plenty of options in this size.
- Flexibility in reactor volume, electrode area, and electrode spacing; the ability to add a reagent halfway through the reactor
Electrochemical Reactor – Continuous Electrochemical Reactions
Options for Stand-Alone or Integrated
Image Credit: VAPOURTEC Ltd
The Ion's stand-alone version can be used with the Vapourtec system or with pumps and power supplies from third parties. This version does not include the components that enable the reactor's temperature control. The standalone and integrated versions use the same electrodes and membranes and are identical in all other ways.
Integrated Version
Image Credit: VAPOURTEC Ltd
The integrated version includes a temperature sensor, heat transfer accessories, and a housing for mounting the reactor onto Vapourtec E-Series or R-Series flow chemistry systems.
Compatible with E-Series and R-Series Systems
The E-Series and R-Series Vapourtec flow chemistry systems can be interfaced with the integrated version of the Ion electrochemical reactor. It takes less than 5 minutes to connect the ion reactor. Vapourtec R-Series software can be used to set up and run automated electrochemical reactions once it is connected to an R-Series. The Vapourtec R-Series software automatically logs data. The reactor can be heated and cooled using E-Series software.
Image Credit: VAPOURTEC Ltd
Image Credit: VAPOURTEC Ltd
Ability to Both Heat and Cool the Reactor
It is possible to regulate the temperature of the Ion electrochemical reactor between -10 °C and 100 °C once it is integrated with the Vapourtec flow chemistry system. This makes it possible to investigate a large area of chemical reactions.
There are very few examples of cooling an electrochemical reaction; most electrochemical reactions have historically been conducted at room temperature. Pfizer and Keio University in Japan have published some significant examples of recent literature that demonstrate how heating electrochemical reactions improve their results.
Operation at Pressure
According to its design, the ion electrochemical reactor can function at pressures of up to 5 bar. Two significant advantages of operating at pressure are the ability to raise solvents to temperatures significantly higher than their typical boiling points—such as using methanol in electrochemical reactions at 100 °C—and the capacity to regulate the volume of gaseous reagents inside the reactor.
Easy to Assemble and Disassemble
The electrodes' composition and surface characteristics are among the most crucial factors in electrochemical reactions. In a research setting, electrodes will be replaced regularly. Vapourtec has meticulously designed the Ion electrochemical reactor to enable quick and easy electrode replacement while ensuring a robust construction that guarantees leak-free operation after each electrode change.
Broadest Range of Electrodes
In a research environment, having an electrochemical reactor capable of performing a wide range of reactions is essential. A key variable influencing performance is the material used for the electrodes. Vapourtec offers a selection of 20 different electrode materials, including stainless steel, three types of carbon, and advanced options such as boron-doped diamond.
Electrodes are Simply Flat Foils 5 cm × 5 cm
The electrodes used in the Ion Electrochemical Reactor are flat foils measuring 5 cm by 5 cm and ranging in thickness from 0.1 to 1.0 mm. Electrodes do not need to be sourced from Vapourtec, as materials of this size are readily available from third-party research material suppliers such as Goodfellow or Alfa Aesar. If a specific material required for testing is unavailable from Vapourtec, it can be easily obtained from alternative sources.
Flexibility in Electrode Spacing and Reactor Volume
An inert plastic membrane defines the ion reactor's flow path and electrode spacing. It is simple to replace this membrane. With the variety of membrane thicknesses that Vapourtec offers, users can select the best reactor setup for reaction:
- Electrode distances ranging from 0.13 to 1.0 mm
- Volumes of reactors ranging from 0.15 to 1.20 ml
Add a Reagent Partway Through the Reactor
The ion reactor has an extra fluid connection. This makes it possible to add a reagent halfway through the reactor if necessary. This connection is helpful when adding a second reagent to react with a radical species produced in the reactor's first section. As an alternative, apply a quench to halt the subsequent reaction.
Optional Accessory Kit for Divided Cell
Using the ion electrochemical reactor, the ion can function as a divided electrochemical cell. The kit includes a proton exchange film for cell separation, as well as all the extra fluid connections and spare membranes required for the divided cell configuration.