Tafel Slopes in Relation to the Replacement of Adsorbed Water by Organic Molecules

Abstract

In the lecture presented by Prof. Reddy the role of water in determining the potential dependence of electrosorption of neutral organic molecules has been discussed. The process one considers is that of the replacement of a number of water molecules n by each organic molecule adsorbed. The dipole moments of the adsorbed water molecules interact with the electrical field in the double layer and hence cause a potential (or charge) dependent adsorption of the neutral organic molecule, even if the latter possesses no permanent dipole moment. The theory of this phenomenon has been worked out by Bockris, Devanathan and Muller. Corrections for lateral interactions between the adsorbed water molecules and for the permanent dipole moment of the electrosorbed neutral organic molecule have been made.^1,2