The effect of precipitation and deposition layer growth on impedance measurements

Abstract

Abstract The objective of the study was to examine how precipitation and deposition layer growth in an electrochemical cell impact impedance measurements. A measurement system, based on Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), was used to observe the impedance of an electrochemical cell while precipitation was occurring. The measurement system was also used together with measurements of the solution concentration (in parts per million, ppm) to examine what impact deposition layer growth has on an electrochemical cell. Experimental results indicate a measurable change in the impedance magnitude as the ionic concentration is altered through precipitation. A change in both impedance magnitude and the interfacial capacitance was observed when a deposition layer was established within an electrochemical cell. Results show that impedance measurements are susceptible to changes in solution conductivity and to the presence of a deposition layer in an electrochemical cell. Impedance measurements may be used as an indicator for deposition layer growth, but changes in the solution concentration should be considered when creating a model.