Analysis of Complex Polarisation Curves

Abstract

It has long been recognised that analysis of polarisation curves can provide valuable insight into the mechanisms of electrochemical processes provided that the analysis is founded on theoretically based equations such that the coefficients have physical meaning. This approach has however been confined to relatively simple cases where only one or possibly two reactions are involved.

An approach has now been developed which permits quantitative analysis of more complex polarisation curves in terms of theoretically based models. The approach is illustrated using the case of stainless steels in acid solutions, but is applicable to other cases.