A Novel Way of Measuring Local Electrochemical Impedance Using A Single Vibrating Probe

Abstract

A novel method of measuring local electrochemical impedance using a single vibrating probe electrode has been developed by modification of a commercial device of scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET). The small size of the vibrating probe used by the SVET minimizes the screening effect of the probe on the distribution of current in the region of analysis. Furthermore, the local impedance as defined here takes into account not only the local current density but also the local electrode potential, as opposed to the measurements proposed up to now in the literature. The signal processing used to obtain this impedance is explained in detail and tested on a dummy cell including a phototransistor to simulate a vibrating electrode. The local impedance of an electrode simulating pitting corrosion is also measured with this system.