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Title: Analytical solution of the Poisson-Nernst-Planck equations for an electrochemical system close to electroneutrality

Journal Article · · Journal of Chemical Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4881599· OSTI ID:22420084
 [1]
  1. Institute of Complex Systems (ICS-8), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich (Germany)

Single charge densities and the potential are used to describe models of electrochemical systems. These quantities can be calculated by solving a system of time dependent nonlinear coupled partial differential equations, the Poisson-Nernst-Planck equations. Assuming small deviations from the electroneutral equilibrium, the linearized and decoupled equations are solved for a radial symmetric geometry, which represents the interface between a cell and a sensor device. The densities and the potential are expressed by Fourier-Bessels series. The system considered has a ratio between the Debye-length and its geometric dimension on the order of 10{sup −4} so the Fourier-Bessel series can be approximated by elementary functions. The time development of the system is characterized by two time constants, τ{sub c} and τ{sub g}. The constant τ{sub c} describes the approach to the stationary state of the total charge and the potential. τ{sub c} is several orders of magnitude smaller than the geometry-dependent constant τ{sub g}, which is on the order of 10 ms characterizing the transition to the stationary state of the single ion densities.

OSTI ID:
22420084
Journal Information:
Journal of Chemical Physics, Vol. 140, Issue 22; Other Information: (c) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0021-9606
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English