On the adsorption of oxy-anions on mercury electrodes from solutions of constant ionic strength

Abstract

In this work, the characteristics of the adsorption of oxy-anions on mercury electrodes are examined on the basis of previous results for trifluoromethanesulphonate ions from solutions of constant ionic strength. Particular attention is given to the fact that the adsorbed charge presents a maximum at positive values of the electrode charge. The dependence of the potential drop across the inner layer on the adsorbed charge is also examined. The observed behaviour is rationalized in terms of a competition for adsorption between the anions and the solvent, which is treated in much the same way as the adsorption of neutral adsorbates.