Characterization and identification of partially blocked electrodes

A new method for the characterization of partially covered electrodes is proposed. It is based on the formal analogy between such electrodes and those having a first-order chemical reaction associated with the charge transfer. It consists in making use of the two linear segments in Z(s^{?$\text{1}\text{2}$} appearing on some specified conditions on the operational impedance spectrum obtained for semi-infinite diffusion. To avoid confusion between these two types of electrode, an identification method is proposed, involving the measurements of diffusion-limiting currents on a RDE. Analysis of the limits of validity of these methods leads to the conclusion that most inhibiting coverages fulfilling the conditions necessary for their characterization should not be mistaken for a chemical reaction.