Computational electrochemistry: three-dimensional boundary element simulations of double electrode geometries

The boundary element method (BEM) is employed to simulate the current respo nse of double microelectrode geometries operating in generator-collector mo de under transport conditions of diffusion control. Specifically, results a re presented which quantify influence of electrode shape and position on th e current flowing during electrolysis. The nature of the problems presented requires solution of the three-dimensional form of the Laplace equation, w hich for objects of unusual topography have proved numerically demanding us ing the more traditionally employed finite difference method. The reduction in dimensionality brought about by the BEM formulation renders the class o f problem tackled as two-dimensional and, thus, offers substantial benefits in both simulation time and grid generation procedures over alternative nu merical procedures. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.