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 through the cell. Combined short-circuit and collision mechanism takes place in low-density suspensions. A complete elucidation of the mechanism is complicated by the presence of powder particles of three groups: particles carrying the charge, uncharged particles representing just a barrier to the charge transfer and particles passivated during the electrolysis by adsorption of an isolating layer of Fe and Ni hydroxocomplexes. The formation of powder aggregates in high-density suspensions was indirectly evidenced.