Sonoelectrochemistry: Both a tool for investigating mechanisms and for accelerating processes

Abstract

Surface irradiation by power ultrasound has proven to offer beneficial effects not only for surface cleaning, but also for the modification of functional properties of metallic or organic coatings. However, the process scale-up has failed to match laboratory observations and data, in particular for the design of industrial sono-reactor systems. To solve this problem, electrochemical systems have been developed and used as effective sensors for ultrasonic activity allowing numerous useful quantitative information to help designing better sono-reactor and process control. Moreover, new types of ultrasonic transducers (e.g., focalised ultrasonic transducers) and new progress in the modulation of ultrasonic transducer excitation have pave the way to industrialization.