An electrochemical and optical study of the rupture and restoration of the passivating HgO multilayer on a dropping mercury electrode in aqueous 1 M NaOH solution at anodic potentials

Abstract

It is shown that the passivating layer on the surface of a dropping mercury electrode in 1 M NaOH at anodic potentials due to drop growth continuously is being mechanically ruptured and electrochemically repaired. This phenomenon is studied by means of microscopy, reflectometry and polarography. The latter technique allows current spikes to be measured. The relation between faradaic current during such a spike and time is discussed.