A review about the surface resistance technique in electrochemistry

The use of the surface resistance changes as an alternative method to study the electrochemical interface is reviewed considering both experimental and theoretical aspects. Particular emphasis is laid on the effect of the adsorption on the resistance of thin film electrodes, including adsorption processes of ions, organic compounds, oxygen, hydrogen and underpotential deposition. Relevant and recent experiments, where the technique was used to detect small quantities of cations in solution and redox sites distributions at the metal–polymer interface are also considered. Morphology changes and roughening and corrosion processes of electrode surfaces studied by resistance measurements are also reviewed. Results obtained by coupling surface resistance with both optical methods and Hall effect in electrochemistry, and the important problem of the electrode emersion are also described. Scattering models to explain surface resistance changes are outlined on the basis of their phenomenological parameters, which can be determined by electrochemical measurements.