Investigation of electrochemical reaction and transport properties of a rotating cylinder electrode with surface modification

There is a pressing need to understand the transport resistance at and near the
electrode surface for electrochemical reaction systems with flow. In this study, we
investigated effects of surface modification of a cylindrical electrode on its
electrochemical and transport properties by using electrochemical measurements and
numerical analysis. An electrochemical deposition process was applied to a platinum cylinder for modification of the surface structure of the electrode. Surface geometrical properties of the electrode was controlled by applied duration time of the deposition and was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and white light confocal microscopy. The cylindrical electrode was rotated in aqueous solutions with reactant metal ions and its reaction and transport properties were characterized. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry in assistance with numerical analysis were used to determine electrochemical surface area, electrical double layer capacitance and reaction rate constant of the electrochemical system. Mass transport coefficients depending on rotating velocity was then obtained by measuring limiting currents in linear sweep voltammograms.