ISSN:
1433-0768
Keywords:
Key words Voltammetry
;
Microparticles
;
Modelling
;
Three phase junction
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
Abstract The electrochemical reduction of a solid compound characterized by mixed ionic/electronic conductivity, immobilized on an electrode surface and in contact with an electrolyte solution, has been studied theoretically. The uptake or expulsion of electrons and electrolyte cation is coupled to maintain electroneutrality and is assumed to obey Fick's law of diffusion. Starting with the fully oxidized species, the simultaneous uptake of cations and electrons will be possible at the three-phase junction only, where electrode, solid and electrolyte solution meet. From this point, electrons and cations diffuse perpendicularly into the crystal lattice. The reaction zone grows owing to the formation of the electronically and ionically conducting reduced product. Two- and three-dimensional models have been utilized to simulate the diffusion and the current flow in response to an applied potential step. The resulting chronoamperometric curves have been analyzed with the help of fitting procedures. Under certain conditions, a transition of the three-phase reaction to a pure two-phase reaction occurs. This transition to a two-phase condition is the reason that a number of equations for the exhaustive conversion are similar to those known for planar diffusion, for example. To illustrate this, and for a better understanding of the phenomena, concentration profiles are presented for different degrees of the reaction and for varied simulation conditions. It is demonstrated how geometrical properties like crystal shape (cuboid with x ≠ y ≠ z) and crystal size as well as physical properties, e.g. the diffusion coefficients, govern the electrochemical behavior of mixed ionic/electronic conductors and form the basis of the current-time functions. The numerical simulation of a two-dimensional semi-infinite model of the reaction at the three-phase junction gives results comparable to an algebraical approach. The finite-difference method turned out to be suitable to solve the problems arising from the three-dimensional and finite diffusion conditions and from different crystal shapes.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s100080000130
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