A theoretical explanation of the surface diffusion mechanism in metal electrodes in contact with electrolytes

A theoretical explanation for the surface diffusion mechanism observed in columnar structured metal electrodes in contact with electrolytes is given. The potential energy of a surface metal atom on which ions forming part of the supporting electrolyte are adsorbed is described by means of an anharmonic oscillator curve whereas the energy of a surface metal atom liberated from any adsorption interaction is approximated by a harmonic oscillator energy fuction. Geometric arguments allow to define a symmetry factor δ for which experimental values were previously obtained. A qualitative interpretation of the value of δ has been made.