On-line inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroelectrochemistry: Real-time element-resolved electrochemistry

Electrochemical techniques are coupled with inductively coupled plasma (ICP) atomic emission spectrometry for in-line electrolyte analyses. In this way, direct measurement of the elemental dissolution rates in real-time or element-resolved electrochemistry can be carried out, complementary to conventional electrochemical measurements. This methodology can be used to obtain the element-specific reaction mechanisms under either spontaneous or polarized conditions up to part-per-billion level resolution with applications in diverse domains of corrosion science and interfacial reactivity. This review aims to summarize recent research activities using ICP coupled with other analytical techniques to answer specific questions on the mechanism of degradation of materials in aqueous or organic environments including the dissolution of metal oxides, catalysis, reaction stoichiometry, electrochemical kinetics, and photoelectrochemical reactivity. •Application of ICP analysis for element-resolved electrochemical investigations.•Coupling of ICP-based electrochemical measurements with other complementary analytical techniques.•Perspectives of the use of ICP-coupled electrochemistry to different fields such as energy.