Reversible multistep electrode processes. Consideration of the bulk presence of intermediate species and of the values of the diffusion coefficients in voltammetry

Analytical solutions for reversible multistep electrode processes in voltam metry with constant potential at planar electrodes whose areas increase wit h an arbitrary power of time and at spherical electrodes are presented. The se solutions are valid when several or all species are initially present an d, in the case of planar electrodes, when their diffusion coefficients are not necessarily equal. Interesting consequences and simplifications that cl arify the experimental study of any multistep process can be deduced from t hese solutions. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.