Anodic reaction potential

A reference electrode scanned along the metal surface will measure the series of (E"x)n and (E"M)n interface potentials. From these values, solution potentials (t))s) at the metal/solution interface may be calculated (< )s = -E") and presented as in Fig. 4.6. When the anodic and cathodic sites are microscopic relative to the size and position of the reference electrode, identity of the anodic and cathodic sites on a macroscale is lost, and a single mixed or corrosion potential, Ecorr, is measured as discussed previously. There is essentially a uniform flux of metal ions from the surface, and cathodic reactants to the surface, which constitute anodic and cathodic currents. Since the relative areas to which these currents apply usually are not known, the total area is taken as the effective area for each reaction. It is these currents, however, that mutually polarize the anodic reaction potential from E M up to Ecorr and the cathodic reaction potential from E x down to Ecorr. 

El = 1.229 V (vs. NHE)), and the Pt/PtO anode reaction potential (Pt + H2O PtO + 2YC + 2e", E°p p,o = 0.88 V (vs. NHE)). The local electrochemical reaction on the Pt surface could create a PtO surface coverage of 30%, with 70% of the surface remaining as pure Pt. At steady-state mixed potential, a complete layer of Pt-0 can never be achieved in order to keep the reaction of Pt to PtO continuous, due to the diffusion of Pt-0 into the bulk metal. The reported mixed cathode potential is around 1.06 V (vs. NHE) at standard conditions [20, 21] with an O2 partial pressure dependence of 15 mV-atm Furthermore, the H2 that has crossed over through the membrane from anode to cathode can form a local half-cell electrochemical reaction on the cathode, such as H2 2H + 2e, resulting in a mixed cathode potential similar to that of the half-cell reaction (Pt -1- H2O PtO -1-2H + 2e ). The mixed potentials are the dominant sources of voltage losses at open circuits [13]. 

Gibbs values and the effective electrode potential follows the Nemst equation (see section C2.11). For the oxidation (anodic) reaction, the potential (E ) of the Nemst equation can be written as ... 

Since any current resulting from tire anodic reaction must be consumed by tire catlrodic reaction, tire catlrodic current,7, must be equal to tire airodic current As a consequence, tire equilibrium potential of a metal (e.g. Fe) tlrat is immersed into air aqueous electrolyte will be adjusted by tire condition tlrat = j This is... 

Cell Volta.ge a.ndIts Components. The minimum voltage required for electrolysis to begin for a given set of cell conditions, such as an operational temperature of 95°C, is the sum of the cathodic and anodic reversible potentials and is known as the thermodynamic decomposition voltage, is related to the standard free energy change, AG°C, for the overall chemical reaction,... 

The standard potential for the anodic reaction is 1.19 V, close to that of 1.228 V for water oxidation. In order to minimize the oxygen production from water oxidation, the cell is operated at a high potential that requires either platinum-coated or lead dioxide anodes. Various mechanisms have been proposed for the formation of perchlorates at the anode, including the discharge of chlorate ion to chlorate radical (87—89), the formation of active oxygen and subsequent formation of perchlorate (90), and the mass-transfer-controUed reaction of chlorate with adsorbed oxygen at the anode (91—93). Sodium dichromate is added to the electrolyte ia platinum anode cells to inhibit the reduction of perchlorates at the cathode. Sodium fluoride is used in the lead dioxide anode cells to improve current efficiency. 

The potential of the reaction is given as = (cathodic — anodic reaction) = 0.337 — (—0.440) = +0.777 V. The positive value of the standard cell potential indicates that the reaction is spontaneous as written (see Electrochemical processing). In other words, at thermodynamic equihbrium the concentration of copper ion in the solution is very small. The standard cell potentials are, of course, only guides to be used in practice, as rarely are conditions sufftciendy controlled to be called standard. Other factors may alter the driving force of the reaction, eg, cementation using aluminum metal is usually quite anomalous. Aluminum tends to form a relatively inert oxide coating that can reduce actual cell potential. 

It is apparent (Fig. 1.21) that at potentials removed from the equilibrium potential see equation 1.30) the rate of charge transfer of (a) silver cations from the metal to the solution (anodic reaction), (b) silver aquo cations from the solution to the metal (cathodic reaction) and (c) electrons through the metallic circuit from anode to cathode, are equal, so that any one may be used to evaluate the rates of the others. The rate is most conveniently determined from the rate of transfer of electrons in the metallic circuit (the current 1) by means of an ammeter, and if / is maintained constant it can eilso be used to eveduate the extent. A more precise method of determining the quantity of charge transferred is the coulometer, in which the extent of a single well-defined reaction is determined accurately, e.g. by the quantity of metal electrodeposited, by the volume of gas evolved, etc. The reaction Ag (aq.) -t- e = Ag is utilised in the silver coulometer, and provides one of the most accurate methods of determining the extent of charge transfer. 

It is not appropriate here to consider the kinetics of the various electrode reactions, which in the case of the oxygenated NaCl solution will depend upon the potentials of the electrodes, the pH of the solution, activity of chloride ions, etc. The significant points to note are that (a) an anode or cathode can support more than one electrode process and b) the sum of the rates of the partial cathodic reactions must equal the sum of the rates of the partial anodic reactions. Since there are four exchange processes (equations 1.39-1.42) there will be eight partial reactions, but if the reverse reactions are regarded as occurring at an insignificant rate then... 

When dezincification occurs in service the brass dissolves anodically and this reaction is electrochemically balanced by the reduction of dissolved oxygen present in the water at the surface of the brass. Both the copper and zinc constituents of the brass dissolve, but the copper is not stable in solution at the potential of dezincifying brass and is rapidly reduced back to metallic copper. Once the attack becomes established, therefore, two cathodic sites exist —the first at the surface of the metal, at which dissolved oxygen is reduced, and a second situated close to the advancing front of the anodic attack where the copper ions produced during the anodic reaction are reduced to form the porous mass of copper which is characteristic of dezincification. The second cathodic reaction can only be sufficient to balance electrochemically the anodic dissolution of the copper of the brass, and without the support of the reduction of oxygen on the outer face (which balances dissolution of the zinc) the attack cannot continue. 

Equation 10.2, which involves consumption of the metal and release of electrons, is termed an anodic reaction. Equation 10.3, which represents consumption of electrons and dissolved species in the environment, is termed a cathodic reaction. Whenever spontaneous corrosion reactions occur, all the electrons released in the anodic reaction are consumed in the cathodic reaction no excess or deficiency is found. Moreover, the metal normally takes up a more or less uniform electrode potential, often called the corrosion or mixed potential (Ecotr)-... 

The corrosion reaction may also be represented on a polarisation diagram (Fig. 10.4). The diagram shows how the rates of the anodic and cathodic reactions (both expressed in terms of current flow, I) vary with electrode potential, E. Thus at , the net rate of the anodic reaction is zero and it increases as the potential becomes more positive. At the net rate of the cathodic reaction is zero and it increases as the potential becomes more negative. (To be able to represent the anodic and cathodic reaction rates on the same axis, the modulus of the current has been drawn.) The two reaction rates are electrically equivalent at E , the corrosion potential, and the... 

To hold the metal at any potential other than requires that electrons be supplied to, or be withdrawn from, the metal surface. For example, at E the cathodic reaction rate, 7, exceeds the anodic reaction rate, //, and the latter does not provide sufficient electrons to satisfy the former. If the... 

At a the net anodic reaction rate is zero (there is no metal dissolution) and a cathodic current equal to I" must be available from the external source to maintain the metal at this potential. It may also be apparent from Fig. 10.4 that, if the potential is maintained below E, the metal dissolution rate remains zero = 0), but a cathodic current greater than /"must be supplied more current is supplied without achieving a benefit in terms of metal loss. There will, however, be a higher interfacial hydroxyl ion concentration. 

The thermodynamic and electrode-kinetic principles of cathodic protection have been discussed at some length in Section 10.1. It has been shown that, if electrons are supplied to the metal/electrolyte solution interface, the rate of the cathodic reaction is increased whilst the rate of the anodic reaction is decreased. Thus, corrosion is reduced. Concomitantly, the electrode potential of the metal becomes more negative. Corrosion may be prevented entirely if the rate of electron supply is such that the potential of the metal is lowered to the value where it is found that anodic dissolution does not occur. This may not necessarily be the potential at which dissolution is thermodynamically impossible. 

Fig. 20.16 Potential energy against distance curves Morse curves), (a) No potential dilTerence (p.z.c.), (b) at the equilibrium potential when / = / and the heights of the energy barrier are the same for both reactions, but p.z.c W potential made more negative than E q and (d) potential made more positive than E. The p.z.c. has been taken as zero potential, and A, and h,. are the heights of the potential barriersj or the anodic and cathodic reactions, respectively / is the rate of the cathodic reaction and / the rate of the anodic reaction (after Bockris...

When an electrode is at equilibrium the rate per unit area of the cathodic reaction equals that of the anodic reaction (the partial currents) and there is no net transfer of charge the potential of the electrode is the equilibrium potential and it is said to be unpolarised ... 

Corrosion or mixed potentials (a) Active corrosion in acid solutions (b) Passive metal in acid solutions Potential dependent on the redox potential of the solution and the kinetics of the anodic and cathodic reactions. Potential dependent on the kinetics of the h.e.r. on the bare metal surface. Potential is that of an oxide-hlmed metal, and is dependent on the redox potential of the solution. Zn in HCI Stainless steel in oxygenated H2SO4... 

Evans Diagram diagram in which the E vs. I relationships for the cathodic and anodic reactions of a corrosion reaction are drawn as straight lines intersecting at the corrosion potential, thus indicating the corrosion current associated with the reaction. 

In acid electrolytes, carbon is a poor electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution at potentials where carbon corrosion occurs. However, in alkaline electrolytes carbon is sufficiently electrocatalytically active for oxygen evolution to occur simultaneously with carbon corrosion at potentials corresponding to charge conditions for a bifunctional air electrode in metal/air batteries. In this situation, oxygen evolution is the dominant anodic reaction, thus complicating the measurement of carbon corrosion. Ross and co-workers [30] developed experimental techniques to overcome this difficulty. Their results with acetylene black in 30 wt% KOH showed that substantial amounts of CO in addition to C02 (carbonate species) and 02, are... 

A 1.0 M KBr(aq) solution was electrolyzed by using inert electrodes. Write (a) the cathode reaction (b) the anode reaction, (c) With no overpotential or passivity at the electrodes, what is the minimum potential that must be supplied to the cell for the onset of electrolysis ... 

---