Transfer of charge in a particulate iron-electrolyte system

Mechanism of the charge transfer through a heterogeneous system consisting of Fe powder particles suspended in nickel-plating electrolyte was studied in the regime of electrolysis. Conductivity and impedance spectra were used to elucidate the contribution of solid particles to the charge transfer th rough the cell. Combined short-circuit and collision mechanism takes place in low-density suspensions. A complete elucidation of the mechanism is comp licated by the presence of powder particles of three groups: particles carr ying the charge, uncharged particles representing just a barrier to the cha rge transfer and particles passivated during the electrolysis by adsorption of an isolating layer of Pe and Ni hydroxocomplexes. The formation of powd er aggregates in high-density suspensions was indirectly evidenced.