Alternating current polarography of organic compounds. V. Quantitative treatment of the adsorption process

Abstract

Equations are derived to express the adsorption equilibrium subsisting at an adsorbent surface in the presence of two adsorbable species. These equations are applied to the case of the reduction of organic compounds at the dropping mercury electrode. It is well known that adsorption at the electrode can produce irreversibility in the D.C. step, and a qualitative explanation is provided. The same treatment is used to explain the shape of the A.C. calibration curves.