Studies on Overvoltage

Abstract

The nature of the diffusion of anode and cathode polarization products through thin sheets of platinum and palladium has been investigated and it was found that no diffusion of electromotively active material occurs through solid metal, even though very thin. When a change in the potential of the back of a thin electrode occurs, it is found that the metal is not perfectly continuous and that a small solution connection has been established in the discontinuities through which a small amount of current flows and charges the back. The previous work in this field is critically reviewed and it is found that the results of earlier workers confirm the present findings. Inconsistencies in the previous work are satisfactorily explained.A general theory is developed to explain the results obtained in a number of different fields of investigation. A satisfactory theory of the blistering of metals is proposed. The value of the present research in the clarification of the theory of polarization and overvoltage is discussed. INTRODUCTION. It has been shown in the previous papers of this series 4 that a "transfer resistance" component of overvoltage does not exist under the conditions studied. It was erroneously stated in one of the earlier articles5 that the concept of transfer resistance was introduced by 'Manuscript

Recent Developments in the Study of Hydrogen Overpotential.

“…Cn+ e~SFI2BT k i + kz (62) for which result the converse condition to that of expression 59 is taken.…”

“…Introducing the • potential in equation 62 and transforming: is the absolute hydrogen electrode potential at unit activity.…”