Electrochemical cell with finite currents

Electrochemical Cells with Finite Currents. The Electrical Double Layer... 

Finite diffusion — Finite (sometimes also called -> limited) diffusion situation arises when the -> diffusion layer, which otherwise might be expanded infinitely at long-term electrolysis, is restricted to a given distance, e.g., in the case of extensive stirring (- rotating disc electrode). It is the case at a thin film, in a thin layer cell, and a thin cell sandwiched with an anode and a cathode. Finite diffusion causes a decrease of the current to zero at long times in the - Cottrell plot (-> Cottrell equation, and - chronoamperometry) or for voltammetric waves (see also - electrochemical impedance spectroscopy). Finite diffusion generally occurs at -> hydrodynamic electrodes. 

Mass transport in an electrochemical reactor occurs by three mechanisms migration in the electrical field, film diffusion, and convection. The first of these is a special feature of electrochemical reactions, whereas the other two are common to all reactions that have a solid phase. However, where an inertsupporting electrolyte is used, the effect of migration can be neglected. With this assumption, let us consider a single electrode reaction given by reaction 21.3. When a finite current is passed through the cell and conditions are perfectly reversible, the concentration overpotential can be expressed as (Pickett, 1979)... 

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