THE HETEROGENEOUS KINETICS OF THE ADSORPTION OF BR2 ON POLYCRYSTALLINE PLATINUM-ELECTRODES

Theory is presented for the analysis of potential step chronoamperomograms, obtained at a rotating disc electrode, for an electron transfer process which is preceded by adsorption of the electroactive species. Specifically, theory is generated for the case where the electrode is first stepped to a p...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Harland, R, Compton, R
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: 1989
Description
Summary:Theory is presented for the analysis of potential step chronoamperomograms, obtained at a rotating disc electrode, for an electron transfer process which is preceded by adsorption of the electroactive species. Specifically, theory is generated for the case where the electrode is first stepped to a potential corresponding to the transport limited reduction/oxidation of a species A, to a (stable) species B which can adsorb on the electrode surface. The electrode is then stepped to a final potential at which B is reconverted into A. If this reconversion is controlled by the rate of adsorption of B onto the electrode surface then it is demonstrated that, in this way, the heterogeneous kinetics of this process may be quantitatively found from the current-time transient measured during this last step. The method is applied to experimental data obtained for the reduction of bromine (generated from bromide) on polycrystalline platinum electrodes in aqueous sulphuric acid and the kinetics of bromine adsorption onto such electrodes is reported for the first time. © 1989.