Ion injection by metallic electrodes in highly polar liquids of controlled conductivity

Abstract

This study has allowed us to appreciate quantitatively the processes governing the injection law in polar liquids at high fields and to distinguish the wide variety of intricate phenomena at low fields. The fundamental role of the double layer is emphasized, especially how the compact part and/or the diffuse part of this layer control the current flow according to the amplitude of the field. Several electrical and optical techniques were used to study propylene carbonate up to 500 kV/cm. The unique curve describing the current-field variation is in good agreement with the Félici's model based on electrochemical kinetics, the field at the injector being corrected because of space charge and electrohydrodynamic flow.