Rectifier Characteristics of BaSo4 Precipitation Membranes

The behavior of precipitate-membranes of BaSO4 in cellophane is discussed in terms of the formation process of the system and the known permeability to Ba++, SO=4 and to water components. It is shown that the available information leads to an interpretation in terms of an electrical bipolar model. The specific case of Ba(OH)2 and H2SO4 solutions separated by the above membrane is discussed in detail. The rectification effect and the non-zero stationary currents observed are discussed in terms of the flows of H+, OH− and the flow of the chemical reaction of water formation. The logarithmic term derived for the voltage current relationship is shown to be directly linked with the depolarizing effect of water formation, and thus quantitatively related to the kinetic constants of water formation and dissociation.