Limited current density

The expression for the mass-transport-limiting current density may be employed together with the Nemst equation to deduce the complete current-potential response in a solution containing only oxidized or reduced species... 

Therefore, in tire limiting case—tire surface concentration of tire reacting species is zero as all tire arriving ions immediately react—tire current density becomes voltage independent and depends only on diffusion, specifically, on tire widtli of tire Nerstian diffusion layer S, and of course tire diffusion coefficient and tire bulk concentration of anions (c). The limiting current density (/ ) is tlien given by... 

The limiting current density /) for the transport of species i to the reacting site is given from Fick s law by ... 

Mass Transport. Probably the most iavestigated physical phenomenon ia an electrode process is mass transfer ia the form of a limiting current. A limiting current density is that which is controlled by reactant supply to the electrode surface and not the appHed electrode potential (42). For a simple analysis usiag the limiting current characteristics of various correlations for flow conditions ia a parallel plate cell, see Reference 43. 

Tertiay Current Distribution. The current distribution is again impacted when the overpotential influence is that of concentration. As the limiting current density takes effect, this impact occurs. The result is that the higher current density is distorted toward the entrance of the cell. Because of the nonuniform electrolyte resistance, secondary and tertiary current distribution are further compHcated when there is gas evolution along the cell track. Examples of iavestigations ia this area are available (50—52). 

In oxygen-free seawater, the J(U) curves, together with the Tafel straight lines for hydrogen evolution, correspond to Eq. (2-19) (see Fig. 2-2lb). A limiting current density occurs with COj flushing for which the reaction ... 

On the other hand, it can be assumed for the oxygen corrosion of steel in aqueous solutions and soils that there is a constant minimum protection current density, 4, in the protective range, U limiting current density for oxygen reduction according to Eq. (4-5) (see Section 2.2.3.2). Then it follows, with V = +1,1 = 2nr, S = 27crs and d = dU from Eq. (24-54), instead of Eq. (24-58) [12-14] ... 

The limiting current density (the maximum possible rate/unit area under the conditions prevailing) for a cathodic process is given by... 

It follows from this that the limiting current density / l is the most significant parameter in a corrosion reaction in which oxygen is the cathodic reactant, and that any factor that increases / l will increase the corrosion rate, since at E ... 

In Section 1.4 see Fig. 1.31h) it has been shown that when a corrosion reaction is controlled by the rate of oxygen diffusion, both the rate of corrosion and the corrosion potential increase with / l. the limiting current density, i.e. 

The rate can be converted to the limiting current density iV by Faraday s law, so that from physical measurements on the solution it is possible to calculate since it is of the same order as / l-... 

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 ... 

The concentration gradient will be a maximum when = 0, and this will correspond with the maximum or limiting current density /V... 

The limiting current density in equation 20.77 has been derived on the assumption that transport is solely by diffusion, but if migration also occurs then for a cathodic process... 

Limiting Current Density the current density at which change of polarisation produces little or no change of current density. 

The concentration of one of the components, and hence its limiting current density, is zero. In this case the Nemst equation is not applicable for the equilibrium potential therefore, we must use a kinetic equation that is written in terms of potential rather than polarization. When an oxidizing agent is not present in the solution Cy.ox = 0> oiily anodic currents are possible in the system, and these produce an oxidizing agent. It then follows from Eq. (6.32) that... 

The concentration of one of the components (e.g., the reducing agent), and its limiting current density are large, so that practically = const, or a solid component with constant concentration (such as metallic zinc in the reaction Zn + + 2e — Zn) is involved in the reaction. In this case, Eq. (6.41) becomes... 

When anodic polarization is appreciable AE 0), the CD will tend toward the value and then remain unchanged when polarization increases further. Therefore, parameter i, as defined by Eq. (13.44), is a limiting CD arising from the limited rate of a homogeneous chemical reaction when Cj drops to a value of zero it is the kinetic limiting current density. 

This irreversible polarization curve also has the shape of a wave (see Fig. 5.13, curve 3) with the limiting current density d. The half-wave... 

The constants characterizing the electrode reaction can be found from this type of polarization curve in the following manner. The quantity k"e is determined directly from the half-wave potential value (Eq. 5.4.27) if E0r is known and the mass transfer coefficient kQx is determined from the limiting current density (Eq. 5.4.20). The charge transfer coefficient oc is determined from the slope of the dependence of In [(yd —/)//] on E. 

---