The influence of the adsorption of surface active substance on the rate constant of the electrode reaction

The electrode reaction of copper-EDTA complex was studied polarographically in the presence of polyvinylalcohol. The d.c. polarographic current-time curves were analyzed by using the equation given by Matsuda for the diffusion process of the depolarizer influenced by the adsorbates. The rate constants affected by the adsorption are assumed to be composed of two parts at relatively high coverage, i.e., one is the rate constant of the electrode reaction at free surface of DME and the other the rate constant of the electrode reaction through the adsorded layer. The rate constant at the uncovered surface was analyzed by a formula analogous to that proposed by Parsons and it was shown that one of the parameters involved in the formula depends on the electrode potential. On the other hand, it was shown that the electrode reaction at the covered surface is irreversible, and its cathodic rate constant depends on the electrode potential exponentially.