Theory of metal ions accumulation by the synergistic adsorption at mercury electrodes

The synergistic adsorptive accumulation of metal ions at the surface of mercury electrodes is described. The basic thermodynamic relationships between the ionic species involved in the synergistic adsorption are developed and analysed. The method is compared with the simple anion-induced adsorption. The synergistic adsorption of uranyl ions in the system salicylic acid-tributylphosphate is reported.