"Inverted" peaks and current oscillations in cyclic voltammetry

Inverted peaks and strongly increased peaks have been reported and different explanations of these phenomena have been suggested[1,2]. The present communication discusses the peak shape distortions ("inverted" peaks, current oscillations) in terms of tangential movements of the mercury electrode surface. These distortions are explained similarly to the maxima in classical polarography: inhomogeneous polarization and inhomogeneous adsorption are considered as the two major forces causing the mercury surface movement and as a result, leading to the peak shape distortions. Experimental examples of the phenomena in aprotic and protic media and for organic and inorganic redox couples are given and explained in accordance with the proposed theory.