Overview
FrançaisRead this article from a comprehensive knowledge base, updated and supplemented with articles reviewed by scientific committees.
Read the articleAUTHORS
-
Bernard TRÉMILLON: Engineer from the École Supérieure de Physique et de Chimie Industrielles de la Ville de Paris (ESPCI) - Honorary University Professor - Former Director, École Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Paris
-
Gérard DURAND: Doctor of Science - Professor at École Centrale de Paris - Director, ECP Chemistry and Process Engineering Laboratory
INTRODUCTION
As pointed out in the general introduction , the design and development of any electrochemical process must begin with an analytical study to characterize the processes involved, using an experimental methodology known as voltammetry, which consists in determining the variation of the electrolysis current at one electrode (independently of what is happening at the other electrode) as a function of its potential (voltammogram, expressing the electrode current-potential relationship).
The characterization obtained is global, i.e. it integrates the contributions of all the physico-chemical processes that take place at the electrode in question and in the electrolyte in contact with it, under the conditions that must be those of the electrolysis envisaged. Interpretation of the experimental voltammetric characteristic therefore provides an insight into these processes. But, conversely, this global characterization is suitable for selecting the conditions for carrying out an electrochemical operation, such as those which give rise to industrial processes.
The current-electrode potential relationship can be the subject of a predictive study based on the theoretical characteristics of electrochemical processes, which have been set out in the article "Electrochemistry. Laws governing processes". The purpose of this article is now to describe (briefly) the predictable morphology of electrode current-potential characteristics, considering in particular their dependence on various physical and especially chemical factors (chemical influence of the electrolytic medium on electroactive constituents in solution, depending on their acid-base properties or their ability to form complexes and/or insoluble compounds).
Observable current-potential characteristics for electrochemical systems involving metals are discussed in the paper [J 1 607], which is a direct sequel to this article.
The principles and methodology of voltammetry –– are described in articles
Exclusive to subscribers. 97% yet to be discovered!
You do not have access to this resource.
Click here to request your free trial access!
Already subscribed? Log in!
The Ultimate Scientific and Technical Reference
This article is included in
Unit operations. Chemical reaction engineering
This offer includes:
Knowledge Base
Updated and enriched with articles validated by our scientific committees
Services
A set of exclusive tools to complement the resources
Practical Path
Operational and didactic, to guarantee the acquisition of transversal skills
Doc & Quiz
Interactive articles with quizzes, for constructive reading
Electrochemistry. Current-potential characteristics: theory (part 1)