Mass Transfer and Current‐Potential Relation in Pulse Electrolysis

Abstract

A generalized theory is presented for pulse electrolysis with rectangular current pulses, periodical pulse reverse, and double rectangular pulses with relaxations. It is shown that very high instantaneous mass transfer rates corresponding to a current density of 100–1000 A/cm2 can be attained by short current pulses at high pulse frequencies. Numerical results for the concentration fluctuations and potential responses have also been calculated for the deposition/dissolution of copper on a rotating disk electrode in acid copper sulfate solution. The results indicate that the current pulses can profoundly change the current‐potential relationships and thus the current distribution and the morphology of electrodeposits on the electrode surface.