Butler-Volmer potential dependence, interface

The current-potential relationship predieted by Eqs. (49) and (50) differs strongly from the Butler-Volmer law. For y 1 the eurrent density is proportional to the eleetro-static driving force. Further, the shape of the eurrent-potential curves depends on the ratio C1/C2 the curve is symmetrical only when the two bulk concentrations are equal (see Fig. 19), otherwise it can be quite unsymmetrieal, so that the interface can have rectifying properties. Obviously, these current-potential eurves are quite different from those obtained from the lattice-gas model. 

The voltammograms at the microhole-supported ITIES were analyzed using the Tomes criterion [34], which predicts ii3/4 — iii/4l = 56.4/n mV (where n is the number of electrons transferred and E- i and 1/4 refer to the three-quarter and one-quarter potentials, respectively) for a reversible ET reaction. An attempt was made to use the deviations from the reversible behavior to estimate kinetic parameters using the method previously developed for UMEs [21,27]. However, the shape of measured voltammograms was imperfect, and the slope of the semilogarithmic plot observed was much lower than expected from the theory. It was concluded that voltammetry at micro-ITIES is not suitable for ET kinetic measurements because of insufficient accuracy and repeatability [16]. Those experiments may have been affected by reactions involving the supporting electrolytes, ion transfers, and interfacial precipitation. It is also possible that the data was at variance with the Butler-Volmer model because the overall reaction rate was only weakly potential-dependent [35] and/or limited by the precursor complex formation at the interface [33b]. 

Hydrogen evolution, the other reaction studied, is a classical reaction for electrochemical kinetic studies. It was this reaction that led Tafel (24) to formulate his semi-logarithmic relation between potential and current which is named for him and that later resulted in the derivation of the equation that today is called "Butler-Volmer-equation" (25,26). The influence of the electrode potential is considered to modify the activation barrier for the charge transfer step of the reaction at the interface. This results in an exponential dependence of the reaction rate on the electrode potential, the extent of which is given by the transfer coefficient, a. 

In writing out the Butler-Volmer equation, it has been assumed that, apart from factors concerning the potential-energy barrier, the current density depends only on the concentrations of reactants on the solution side of the interface. The metal surface was always considered empty, i.e., not blocked with any species, intermediate radical, or products. 

Contrary to outer sphere electron transfer reactions, the validity of the Butler-Volmer law for ion transfer reactions is doubtful. Conway and coworkers [225] have collected data for a number of proton and ion transfer reactions and find a pronounced dependence of the transfer coefficient on temperature in all cases. These findings were supported by experiments conducted in liquid and frozen aqueous electrolytes over a large temperature range [226, 227]. On the other hand, Tsionskii et al. [228] have claimed that any apparent dependence of the transfer coefficient on temperature is caused by double layer effects, a statement which is difficult to validate because double layer corrections, in particular their temperature dependence, depend on an exact knowledge of the distribution of the electrostatic potential at the interface, which is not available experimentally. Here, computer simulations may be helpful in the future. Theoretical treatments of ion transfer reactions are few they are generally based on variants of electron transfer theory, which is surprising in view of the different nature of the elementary act [229]. 

Here, the terms k, et k, B B et B are constants. The expressions (6.17) and (6.18) resemble the Butler-Volmer equation for charge transfer at the metal-electrolyte interface, keeping in mind that in equation (6.17) the cathodic term can be neglected. The potential difference A 23 not directly measurable. It depends, among other, on... 

For the oxidation reaction Ag - e Ag, it is assumed that an ion crosses the interface between electrode and electrolyte. As in the precee-dingly described case, an activation energy, depending on the electrode potential, is necessary and the current-potential relation is given by the Butler Volmer relation ... 

Under current flow, the kinetics of the electrode reactions comes into effect. The Butler-Volmer equation describes the dependency of the current passing through the electrode interface (current density per unit geometric area) on a small voltage excursion (called overvoltage q) from the respective equilibrium potential E . ... 

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