Electrodissolution of Zinc in Acidic Chloride Solutions Available to Purchase

The anodic dissolution of zinc in 1N KCl (pH = 3) has been investigated. A potential pulse technique has been used to correct the anodic polarization for the ohmic potential drop. The corrected anodic polarization and the current follow a Tafel relation with a slope of 33 mV/decade up to 200 mA/cm². The concentration of zinc ions at the zinc/solution interface during anodic polarization was determined by applying long duration cathodic potential pulses. The total charge accumulated is proportional to the anodic current when the current density is small, whereas at high current densities, it attains a constant value. The results at low anodic currents are interpreted in terms of diffusion layer concepts. This interpretation can also be extended to the case when migration effects are significant.