A new equivalent circuit model for porous carbon electrodes in charge transfer reaction of iodide/triiodide redox couples

Abstract

In this research, a new equivalent circuit for porous carbon electrodes is proposed. In order to analyze the validity of the new model, electrochemical impedance spectra of carbon black (CB) electrodes in a symmetric cell configuration are examined by varying the CB particle size and the electrode thickness. This model decouples and identifies the following elements: (i) the electron transport resistance and trap capacitance in the CB layer, (ii) the charge transfer resistance and the double layer capacitance, and (iii) the Nernst diffusion impedance at the electrode/electrolyte interface. The fit quality is quantified by the chi-square test, and the fit data show consistency with the measured conductivity, surface area, and thickness of the CB electrode. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.