ABSTRACT
The initial portion of the curve shows an increase in potential in the positive direction with increasing applied current density in conformity with the typical Tafel behavior. Beyond a certain value of current density the potential jumps abruptly to a higher value accompanied by oxygen evolution. At this high potential range, the anodic discharge of oxygen takes place according to reverse of the reaction (2. 7), i.e.,
However, if the metal is polarized potentiostastically (i.e., whereby the increment in potential is given by potentiostat and the current is allowed to adjust itself), the polarization curve takes the shape as shown in Fig. 2.20.
