I can't find any definitive peak explanation for the one I see at 2430 1/cm in the attached file. It is common amongst my ionomer, which is a Versogen PAP polymer based on a quaternary ammonium group, and my OER catalyst which is NiFeCo (made with nickel nitrate, iron nitrate, cobalt nitrate, sodium borohydride, aniline, n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and water and sintered at high temps).
When I run my in-situ cell, I see this peak at OCV goes away after applying voltage. It is really important that I try to determine what this peak is, yet from literature and books I'm not finding anything completely concrete. From a couple of books (excerpts attached here) that there are several possible options: carboxylic acids (associated), borohydride, P-H, chelated O-H or O-D, or most likely ammonium salts. Although only ranges are provided, and I can't find anything directly related to my materials for Raman spectra.
I'm leaning toward the ammonium salt idea since I have nitrogen based chemistry in both the ionomer and the synthesis of the OER. Unless hydrides were accidentally introduced in the ionomer synthesis, then I'd like to rule that possibility out.
The Raman peak at 2430 1/cm could indeed be associated with several different types of bonds or functional groups, as you’ve mentioned. Based on the materials you’re working with and the information available, the possibility of the peak being associated with ammonium salts seems plausible.
Ammonium salts and other nitrogen-containing compounds can exhibit Raman peaks in this region. Given that both your ionomer (Versogen PAP polymer) and your OER catalyst (NiFeCo) involve nitrogen-based chemistry, it’s reasonable to consider that the peak might be related to these components.
However, without more specific information or experimental data, it’s challenging to definitively assign this peak. Raman spectra can be influenced by a variety of factors, including the chemical environment, the physical state of the material, and experimental conditions. Therefore, while the ammonium salt idea is a good starting point, further investigation might be necessary to confirm this.
You might consider additional characterization techniques, such as infrared spectroscopy or X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, which could provide complementary information and help confirm the identity of this peak. Consulting with a spectroscopy expert or a materials scientist could also be beneficial.
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