Supporting Electrolyte
The Supporting Electrolyte is a non-reactive ionic species added to an electrolyte to increase the conductivity of the electrolyte. Increasing the conductivity decreases internal resistance and allows a bigger fraction of the cell voltage change to happen at the reacting surface. This, in turn, makes the current density more uniform over the reacting surface. Often, a non-reactive salt such as K2S04 (Potassium Sulfate) is used as a supporting electrolyte in aqueous systems since the sulfate ion does not react with the oxide film as chloride ions do.
Gamry Instruments Ó 1997-2006
Last revised on Thursday, August 10, 2006