elektrodelektrolytgränsen

The electrode-electrolyte interface is a critical region in electrochemical systems where charge transfer occurs between a solid electrode and a liquid or solid electrolyte. This interface is not a sharp boundary but rather a complex zone with distinct electrochemical and physical properties. At the heart of this interface is the electrochemical double layer, which forms due to the accumulation of ions and charge carriers.

When an electrode is immersed in an electrolyte, charge imbalances arise. If the electrode is charged, ions in the electrolyte will migrate towards it to neutralize the charge. This migration creates a layer of ions close to the electrode surface, known as the Helmholtz layer or compact layer. Beyond this, a more diffuse region of ions, the diffuse layer or Gouy-Chapman layer, extends further into the electrolyte, where the concentration of ions is influenced by electrostatic forces and thermal motion.

The structure and properties of the electrode-electrolyte interface govern the kinetics and thermodynamics of electrochemical reactions. Factors such as the electrode material, electrolyte composition, concentration, temperature, and applied potential all influence the double-layer structure and, consequently, the rate and efficiency of processes like electrodeposition, corrosion, and energy conversion in batteries and fuel cells. Understanding this interface is therefore fundamental to designing and optimizing electrochemical devices.