Microcell HC Basic Package: "Closed"

Further Technical Details

• Line voltage: U_{ac, rms} = 100 to 230 V
• Accessible temperature range during operation (measuring cell): T_{operation/cell} = -40 °C to +100 °C*
• Temperature range during operation (ambience): T_{operation/ambience} = +10 °C to +40 °C
• Temperature range for storage: T_storage = +10 °C to +30 °C
• Relative humidity range during operation and storage (non-condensing): 0 to 100%
• Atmosphere during storage: non-corrosive
• Max. voltage applied to electrodes (measuring cells): U_{dc, max} = +/-30 V; U_{ac, max} = 30 V
• Max. relative pressure applied to closed measuring cells: p_max = 5 bar
• Total weight (Microcell HC cell stand, temperature controller, connecting cables): m_total = 5 kg
• Size temperature controller: 27 cm x 18.5 cm x 16 cm (l x w x h)

*The low-temperature limit is affected by the ambient conditions (condensing or non-condensing) as well as by the measuring cell type used for the studies. The high-temperature limit is set to +100 °C by default. To achieve the temperature limits in some ambient conditions, the rhd Cooling Box may be required.

The Microcell HC Closed" is compatible with the following measuring cells:

• TSC 70 Closed
• TSC 1600 Closed
• TSC Battery
• TSC Surface
• TSC Sw Closed
• TSC Spectro
• TSC Raman

To perform long-term measurements at temperatures below -20 °C it is recommended to transfer the Microcell HC setup into the rhd Cooling Box. This avoids the formation of ice and makes it possible to reach very low temperatures. For measurements inside a glove-box, a suitable Cable-Feedthrough is required. Not every measuring device software supports controlling the Eurotherm thermocontrollers via the RS-232 Modbus protocol. Here, our Multisource Eurotherm device could be a proper solution.

The Microcell HC measuring system is perfectly suited for the electrochemical characterization of low to highly-viscous liquids, gel-like and polymeric as well as solid samples and of heterogeneous systems under temperature control. Depending on the measuring cell, the experiments can be carried out either in a two- or three-electrode configuration. In all cases, only a very small sample amount is needed (several measuring cells only need an amount of a few milligram). Hence, even substances which are only available in small amounts or are expensive can be characterized.

In contrast to the Microcell HC Open system, the measuring cells supported by the Closed variant are both sealed against moisture and air. They can be prepared inside a glovebox and then placed on the Microcell HC Closed cell-stand outside. This allows the handling of sensitive samples while still allowing measurements in the ambient athmosphere.

Many studies have been carried out using the Microcell HC system and several articles reporting the obtained results have been published in international peer-review journals. Established fields of research are for instance

• The determination of the temperature-dependent dc-ion conductivity of...
• ionic liquids
• battery electrolytes
• polymer-electrolytes
• The structure and dynamics of the electrochemical interface of ionic liquids and solid electrodes
• Li-ion battery (half and full cells) performance under temperature control
• Characterization of active materials for suprtcapacitors
• The investigation of HOMO-LUMO gaps of dyes dissolved in organic solvents
• Spectro-electrochemical studies of optically active redox pairs

The Microcell HC system supports almost all electrochemical techniques, like for example

• Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
• Cyclic Voltammetry
• Potentiostatic/galvanostatic charge/discharge cycling
• Spectroelectrochemistry
• In-situ electrochemical raman spectroscopy
• Electrochemical quartz microbalance measurements
• Van-der-Pauw surface resistance measurements