Surface Effect on the Electrochemical Hydrogen Permeation in Iron

Hydrogen permeation through iron were studied by the electrochemical oscillating hydrogen permeation method. The surface processes in the electrochemical hydrogen permeation in iron were discussed on the basis of the frequency dependence of the phase difference of the oscillating hydrogen charging currents at the cathodic side and the releasing currents at the anodic side. Contributions of the releasing process to the permeation could be disregarded by a potentiostatic regulation of the anodic surface. The surface effect was interpreted as the charging process, and the kinetics of the hydrogen charging was analyzed.