The Influence of Cations on the Differential Capacity of the Dropping Mercury Electrode in Solutions of Electrolytes in Methanol and Ethanol

Abstract

Differential capacities of the electrical double layer of , , , and in methanol have been measured. The capacities have been found to be higher in the presence of large cations (of low polarizability), which undergo chemisorption according to Frumkin's theory, by comparison with values observed in the presence of cations of high polarizability. In addition, the effect of concentration of the electrolyte on the differential capacity increases with decreasing polarizability of the cation. The solvent effect on the differential capacity has been found to be greatest near the zero charge potential, the decrease of the differential capacity relative to its value in water solutions being proportional to the decrease in dielectric constant.