Faradaic, in the field of electrochemistry and electrical engineering, refers to a specific type of process or reaction that involves the transfer of charge between an electrode and an electrolyte solution. It is derived from the name of the French scientist, Michael Faraday, who made significant contributions in the study of electrochemistry in the 19th century.
In faradaic processes, the transfer of charge occurs through the exchange of electrons between the electrode and the ions present in the electrolyte. This exchange of electrons is responsible for various electrochemical reactions, such as oxidation and reduction. Unlike non-faradaic processes, which involve capacitive charge storage without any significant chemical reactions, faradaic processes lead to the formation or consumption of chemical species.
Faradaic reactions are commonly observed in various electrochemical systems, including batteries, fuel cells, and electroplating. These reactions allow for the conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy, or vice versa, making them fundamental in many energy storage and conversion technologies.
The term "faradaic" is often used to distinguish these charge transfer processes from non-faradaic processes, which involve charge storage without any chemical changes. It emphasizes the involvement of chemical reactions and redox processes in the electrochemical system.
Overall, the definition of "faradaic" denotes a class of electrochemical processes that involve the transfer of charge through chemical reactions between an electrode and an electrolyte, as opposed to non-faradaic processes that only store charge as an electrical double layer at the electrode-electrolyte interface.
