A model of the anodic behaviour of iron in aqueous media

Abstract

An analysis of the dynamics of a model of the dissolution and passivation of iron is presented which explains (i) the pH dependence of the shape of the stationary anodic polarisation curve (V, i), (ii) the experimentally observed indeterminacy of the potential at which passivation takes place, (iii) the well defined reactivation of the electrode as the potential of the electrode is reduced below the Flade potential and (iv) the tendency for the current density to diminish as the electrolyte is made progressively less acidic.