Determination of the effective diffusion coefficient of nanoporous carbon by means of a single particle microelectrode technique

A single particle microelectrode technique with a micromanipulator was applied and adapted for characterisation of mass transport properties of ionic species in a high surface area nanoporous carbon, with uniform pore size of 8 Å. The effective diffusivity of 6 M KOH in this material was determined by means of potential step experiments on nanoporous carbon particles of different sizes. The results were analysed for short times (Cottrell model) and for long times (spherical diffusion model). The average effective diffusion coefficient for short and long times was 1.5×10−9 and 1.2×10−9 cm2 s−1, respectively. The relatively small diffusivity values are discussed in terms of interaction between the ion hydration shell and water molecules adsorbed on the pore wall.