THE PERFECTLY POLARIZED POLYMER ELECTROLYTE ELECTRODE INTERFACE

The electrical double layer at the interface between a solid polymer electrolyte and a metal electrode is discussed. A new cell is described in which mercury may flow across the surface of a solid polymer electrolyte. Results obtained with this cell are presented for the polarizable (blocking) interface between a mercury electrode and an electrolyte consisting of oxymethylene-linked poly(oxyethylene) containing LiClO4. These results suggest that when the electrode is negatively charged the interface behaves as a simple parallel plate capacitor, ie the capacitance is independent of potential. When the electrode is positively charged the onset of a Faradaic process is indicated.