Milestones of the development of kinetics of electrode reactions

Abstract

The birth and the development of the kinetics of electrode processes–mostly focusing on the case of the hindered charge transfer step and the early period–are reviewed. It is shown how this important branch of electrochemistry was established and how and why the ideas of chemical kinetics have been introduced in electrochemistry. The history of electrode kinetics represents a good example for the progress of science in general, since it can be followed how the experimental observations conduce to the development of theory and how the theory influences further research. It is also demonstrated that the acceptance of new ideas is a thorny path. An attempt is made to acknowledge the merit of the scientists whose experimental or theoretical contributions brought paradigmatic changes in the thinking about the nature of electrode processes. In this context, the appropriate naming of equations is also discussed by using the example of the Erdey-Grúz–Volmer vs. Butler–Volmer equation. A discussion concerning the present trends is also included, which perhaps may predict the near future. A longer prognosis is avoided since the history of science teaches us that the real breakthroughs could not be predicted.