ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the salient features concerning the theory of chemical reaction kinetics in very general terms, without specific reference toward heterogeneous reaction kinetics. In the case of electrochemical reactions, the interfacial potential difference controls the reactivity. It is therefore essential to predict, in very precise terms, how the rate constants depend on the potential. For instance, suppressed diffusion kinetics of the analytes or the active species in the case of electrochemical reactions may lead to mass transport limitations for otherwise kinetically favorable redox reactions; thus enhancing the overpotential. This renders it imperative to know precisely the diffusion co-efficient of the concerned species under the relevant electrochemical reaction conditions. Cyclic voltammetry is usually used for determining the diffusion co-efficient of species within solid insertion electrodes before/after electrochemical reaction at the interface.
