KINETICS OF HETEROGENEOUS CATALYTIC ELECTRODE REACTIONS .2. CHARGE-TRANSFER KINETICS

The kinetic behavior of an electrochemical reaction coupled with a heterogeneous chemical regenerative reaction is analyzed. The steady-state current-voltage curve for this electrode process contains a catalytic current component over the complete potential range in which reduction of the electroactive species occurs. Methods of determining the kinetic parameters of the charge-transfer reaction, per se, are presented with particular reference to use of the rotating disk electrode. This analysis provides a basis for the elucidation of the kinetics and mechanism of an oxygen electrode reaction where hydrogen peroxide is formed as an intermediate reduction product which undergoes a surface-catalyzed decomposition.