Simulation study of the ferrous ferric electron transfer at a metal–aqueous electrolyte interface

Abstract

We report a new simulation study of the rate of ferrous–ferric electron transfer at a metal electrolyte interface. In contrast with earlier work, new features in our study include a detailed account of the effects of the field associated with the charging of the electrode, inclusion of entropic effects in the calculated free energy barriers, and a study of the dependence of the relevant free energy surfaces on the distance of the ion from the electrode. The qualitative picture of the reaction mechanism which emerges is significantly more detailed than that in earlier work. The dominant factors in determining the rate and mechanisms of electron transfer are the distance dependence of the work function of the metal, the redox species concentration profile, and the electronic matrix element. Calculated free energy barriers are consistent with experimentally measured ones. We also estimate the equilibrium potential for this reaction from the model, and find it to be consistent with the experimental equilibrium potential.