The adsorption of formate and acetate ions on mercury electrodes from constant ionic strength solutions

Abstract

The adsorption of formate and acetate ions on mercury electrodes was studied at 25°C from constant ionic strength solutions of composition χM HCOONa+(0.5—χ)M NaF and ϰM CH 3COONa+ (0.5— K)M NaF, respectively. The adsoption characteristics of the two anions are compared with previous results in single salt solutions. In both cases, the adsorbed charges are low and the characteristics of the inner layer suggest that the anions are adsorbed with the participation of the solvent. A virial isotherm with a second virial coefficient of 0.7 nm 2/ion was found to describe adequately the behaviour of both anions.