Electrochemical cell design for the impedance studies of chlorine evolution at DSA(®) anodes.

A new electrochemical cell design suitable for the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies of chlorine evolution on Dimensionally Stable Anodes (DSA(®)) has been developed. Despite being considered a powerful tool, EIS has rarely been used to study the kinetics of chlorine evolution at DSA anodes. Cell designs in the open literature are unsuitable for the EIS analysis at high DSA anode current densities for chlorine evolution because they allow gas accumulation at the electrode surface. Using the new cell, the impedance spectra of the DSA anode during chlorine evolution at high sodium chloride concentration (5 mol dm(-3) NaCl) and high current densities (up to 140 mA cm(-2)) were recorded. Additionally, polarization curves and voltammograms were obtained showing little or no noise. EIS and polarization curves evidence the role of the adsorption step in the chlorine evolution reaction, compatible with the Volmer-Heyrovsky and Volmer-Tafel mechanisms.