Electrodes exchange current

Additional parameters specified in the numerical model include the electrode exchange current densities and several gap electrical contact resistances. These quantities were determined empirically by comparing FLUENT predictions with stack performance data. The FLUENT model uses the electrode exchange current densities to quantify the magnitude of the activation overpotentials via a Butler-Volmer equation [1], A radiation heat transfer boundary condition was applied around the periphery of the model to simulate the thermal conditions of our experimental stack, situated in a high-temperature electrically heated radiant furnace. The edges ofthe numerical model are treated as a small surface in a large enclosure with an effective emissivity of 1.0, subjected to a radiant temperature of 1 103 K, equal to the gas-inlet temperatures. 

Figure 5.5 Variation of hydrogen electrode exchange current density on different metals as a function of M-H bond energy in 1 M acid solution (adapted from ref. [4]).

Calculated impedance for 50% Na+ contaminated Nation 117 membrane for high electrode exchange current 300 A/cm. ... 

Using these basic parameters, we can define the intrinsic electrocatalytic activity per unit volume of the porous electrode, exchange current... 

Calculate decrease in cathode activation loss in a hypothetical cell reaction for a current density of 0.5 A/cm when the reaction temperature is raised form 25°C to 80°C. The electrode exchange current density at 25°C is o = 10" A/cm- and a = 1, and at 80°C, effective exchange current density is o = 10- A/cm- while a = 1 remains the same. 

Some values for and (3 for electrochemical reactions of importance are given in table A2.4.6, and it can be seen that the exchange currents can be extremely dependent on the electrode material, particularly for more complex processes such as hydrogen oxidation. Many modem electrochemical studies are concerned with understanding the origin of tiiese differences in electrode perfomiance. 

The exchange current is directiy related to the reaction rate constant, to the activities of reactants and products, and to the potential drop across the double layer. The larger the more reversible the reaction and, hence, the lower the polarization for a given net current flow. Electrode reactions having high exchange currents are favored for use in battery apphcations. 

Fig. 3. Hypothetical Evans diagram and polarization curve for a metal corroding in an acidic solution, where point A represents the current density, /q, for the hydrogen electrode at equiUbrium point B, the exchange current density at the reversible or equiUbrium potential, for M + 2e and point...

The sohd line in Figure 3 represents the potential vs the measured (or the appHed) current density. Measured or appHed current is the current actually measured in an external circuit ie, the amount of external current that must be appHed to the electrode in order to move the potential to each desired point. The corrosion potential and corrosion current density can also be deterrnined from the potential vs measured current behavior, which is referred to as polarization curve rather than an Evans diagram, by extrapolation of either or both the anodic or cathodic portion of the curve. This latter procedure does not require specific knowledge of the equiHbrium potentials, exchange current densities, and Tafel slope values of the specific reactions involved. Thus Evans diagrams, constmcted from information contained in the Hterature, and polarization curves, generated by experimentation, can be used to predict and analyze uniform and other forms of corrosion. Further treatment of these subjects can be found elsewhere (1—3,6,18). 

The exchange current density, depends on temperature, the composition of the electrolyte adjacent to the electrode, and the electrode material. The exchange current density is a measure of the kinetic resistance. High values of correspond to fast or reversible kinetics. The three parameters, a, a. ... 

If the areas of the electrodes are assumed to be 1 cm, and taking the equilibrium exchange current density /g for the Ag /Ag equilibrium to be 10 A cm", then /g will be 10 A, which is a very high rate of charge transfer. A similar situation will prevail at electrode II, and rates of exchange of silver ions and the potential will be the same as for electrode I. 

The standard electrode trotential, Ep, 2+ Pb = —Q.126V . shows that lead is thermodynamically unstable in acid solutions but stable in neutral. solutions. The exchange current for the hydrogen evolution reaction on lead is very small (-10 - 10"" Acm ), but control of corrosion is usually due to mechanical passivation of the local anodes of the corrosion cells as the majority of lead salts are insoluble and frequently form protective films or coatings. 

Turning now to the acidic situation, a report on the electrochemical behaviour of platinum exposed to 0-1m sodium bicarbonate containing oxygen up to 3970 kPa and at temperatures of 162 and 238°C is available. Anodic and cathodic polarisation curves and Tafel slopes are presented whilst limiting current densities, exchange current densities and reversible electrode potentials are tabulated. In weak acid and neutral solutions containing chloride ions, the passivity of platinum is always associated with the presence of adsorbed oxygen or oxide layer on the surface In concentrated hydrochloric acid solutions, the possible retardation of dissolution is more likely because of an adsorbed layer of atomic chlorine ... 

Exchange current densities 4 for some electrode reactions... 

Equilibrium Potential ( o) the electrode potential of an unpolarised electrode at equilibrium. At the equilibrium potential there is no net reaction. The potential is controlled by the same electrode reaction occurring anodically and cathodically at an equal rate, called the exchange current density. 

Reversible Electrode an electrode of high exchange current density. 

The potential of the electrode surface is determined by the Nernst equation introduced in Sec. 1.3.3. In an equilibrium, the currents in anodic and cathodic directions are equal. If they are related to an electrode area, they are called exchange-current densities, j0 ... 

Electroosmotic flow, 195 End column detection, 89 Energy barrier, 16 Enzyme electrodes, 172, 174 Enzyme immunoassays, 185 Enzyme inhibition, 181 Enzyme reconstitution, 178 Enzyme wiring, 178 Equilibrium potential, 15 Ethanol electrodes, 87, 178 Exchange current, 14... 

The usual procedure for extracting the exchange current Io is then to measure qw (=AUwr) as a function of I and to plot lnl vs T w (Tafel plot). Such plots are shown on Figs. 4.11 and 4.12 for Pt and Ag catalyst electrodes. Throughout the rest of this book we omit the subscript "W" from r w and simply write q,... 

In addition to the exchange current density the transfer coefficient a is needed to describe the relationship between the electrode potential and the current flowing across the electrode/solution interface. From a formal point of view a can be obtained by calculating the partial current densities with respect to the electrode potential for the anodic reaction ... 

Beside laminar flow created by e.g. a rotating disc electrode mrbulent flow provides a means of artificially enhanced transport. A consistent mathematical description and analytical treatment of this mode of transportation is not possible. Various approximations have been proposed and tested for correctness [84Barl], an experimental setup has been described [78Ber, 83Her, 831wa]. From comparisons of measured and calculated current density vs. electrode potential relationships exchange current densities are available. (Data obtained with this method are labelled TPF.)... 

If no concentration of the educt is given the standard exchange current density y oo is stated. Values of)t are printed in italics values of the apparent rate constant k pp are printed in parentheses in italics. For electrode potentials where the latter rate constant was actually determined the reader is referred to the original literature. 

The values of exchange current density observed for different electrodes (or reactions) vary within wide limits. The higher they are (or the more readily charges cross the interface), the more readily will the equilibrium Galvani potential be established and the higher will be the stability of this potential against external effects. Electrode reactions (electrodes) for which equilibrium is readily established are called thermodynamically reversible reactions (electrodes). But low values of the exchange current indicate that the electrode reaction is slow (kinetically limited). 

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