A study of the differential capacitance of zinc in aqueous solution with potassium silicate additions

The differential capacitance of the polycrystalline zinc electrode has been studied in aqueous solutions of KCl, KNO₃ and KOH both with and without the addition of potassium silicate. Double layer capacitance measurements can be made in KCl and KNO₃ without the interaction of OH^? at low pH values < 3.0. The reduction of the nitrate ion takes place at the zinc electrode in aqueous potassium nitrate.The silicate ion is adsorbed on the zinc electrode in aqueous KOH solutions at a potential close to the dissolution potential. This results in inhibition of metal dissolution, due to limited interaction of OH^? with the metal surface. The electrode resistance is increased by this adsorbed layer of silicate ion. In alkaline solution the h.e.r. is stimulated by the addition of potassium silicate.