A KRAMERS REACTION-RATE THEORY FOR ELECTROCHEMICAL ION TRANSFER-REACTIONS

A simple model for electrochemical ion transfer reactions, based on an extended Anderson-Newns model [W. Schmickler, Chem. Phys. Lett. 237 ( 1995) 152], is treated within the framework of the multidimensional Kr amers theory to calculate ion transfer rates. It is shown that for uni valent ion transfer, the rate constant may be substantially influenced by a partial charge transfer during the rate-determining step of the adsorption process, even though the activation barrier is mainly deter mined by the separation from the metal surface. In the limit of strong ly overdamped solvent dynamics, however, the energetically favourable adiabatic electron exchange with the electrode is suppressed and the e ffective reaction coordinate is again one-dimensional, and given by th e separation from the surface.