The fractal theory of electrochemical diffusion noise: Correlations of the third and fourth order

Abstract

Based on the Langevin linear stochastic equation, the correlations of the 3rd and 4th order for thermal fluctuations of the electrode potential are studied in an electrochemical ac circuit involving an electric double layer capacitance, a resistance of steady-state diffusion, and a Warburg impedance. The presence of the noisy Warburg impedance in the ac circuit makes the Langevin linear stochastic equation fractal. The analogy with the steady-state diffusion noise and with the noise of the barrierless-activationless slow discharge is used. Equations for bispectrum and trispectrum of electrode-potential activation are shown. It is demonstrated that the intensity of bispectrum and trispectrum is determined exclusively by the noise of the steady-state diffusion resistance if one of frequency arguments in the polyspectrum is zero. It is found that in an electrochemical ac circuit containing the noisy Warburg impedance, the asymptotics of establishment of equilibrium values of asymmetry and excess of electrode-potential fluctuations (thermalization) obeys the power law rather than the exponential law. Furthermore, the excess thermalization proceeds faster as compared with asymmetry thermalization. The performed theoretical analysis of correlations of the 3rd and 4th order of the fractal noise of electrochemical diffusion is of practical interest. For instance, the concepts of the fractal electrochemical noise can be used in the noise diagnostics of devices of electrochemical power engineering and in the noise methods for studying corrosion systems.