STATE-VARIABLE APPROACH TO ELECTROCHEMICAL DYNAMICS

Advantages of the state variable approach in the formulation of evolut ion equations of complex electrochemical processes are presented. This approach allows one to deal with electrochemical dynamics according t o the uniform approach of process dynamics of deterministic systems wi th all specificity of the systems' evolution reduced to the mathematic al properties of the governing differential equations. Recommendations are formulated as to the judicious choice of the state variables base d on the conservation laws. The distinction between state variables an d kinetic variables is noted. The specificity of steady-states and, pa rticularly, of the states of equilibrium is outlined. Definitions of e quivalent capacities and resistances of partial processes in linear ap proximation are restricted to steady-states only. Electrochemical exam ples are presented which can be looked at as building blocks for more complex systems obtained by combination of their evolution equations. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.