A scientific article by CINE researchers received two highlights in the 21^st edition, of November 2020, of the journal ChemElectroChem. The paper was chosen for the main cover, with an artistic illustration of the paper, and was also highlighted featured through an interview with the main author of the article, Professor Pablo Sebastián Fernández (UNICAMP).  

At CINE, Fernández is part of the Division of Dense Energy Carriers, where he studies how to optimize electrochemical reactions that are used in the generation and storage of renewable energies.  Other researchers from UNICAMP and UFSCar, also CINE members, are co-authors of the paper, in addition to researchers from LNLS-CNPEM.

The article published in ChemElectroChem reports on the development of a new device (a spectroelectrochemical cell) which permits to study in detail what happens during these reactions. The cell integrates electrochemical experiments and spectroscopic analysis instruments. Each of these instruments uses a type of light to analyze the matter. The combination of all analysis provides a thorough understanding of what happens with the materials involved in the electrochemical reactions, including in the nanoscale.

The cover image contains a visual metaphor of the device, in which a submarine (the spectroelectrochemical cell) is attacked by crafts that are equipped with powerful different color lasers (the instruments of analysis) which try to eliminate a problem (the study of the electrode material). The illustration was made by Brazilian designer Renzzo de Giz at the request of the authors of the articles. “The periodical invites authors of certain selected articles to submit an illustration for the cover, and chooses one of them”, says Prof Fernández. Afterwards, the interview on the motivations and opportunities of the highlighted research is conducted.

Paper: Versatile Spectroelectrochemical Cell for In Situ Experiments: Development, Applications, and Electrochemical Behavior. Dr. José L. Bott‐Neto  Marta V. F. Rodrigues  Mariana C. Silva  Dr. Evaldo B. Carneiro‐Neto  Gabriel Wosiak  Junior C. Mauricio  Prof. Ernesto C. Pereira  Dr. Santiago J. A. Figueroa  Prof. Pablo S. Fernández. ChemElectroChem 2020, 7, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1002/celc.202000910.