Species reach an electrode by migration, the motion of ions in the electric field; by diffusion, down concentration gradients; and by convection, the motion of the solution as a whole (stirring, rotation, flow). A supporting electrolyte is an inert salt added in large excess, which carries almost all the current through the solution, so that the electroactive species moves by diffusion and convection only.
Examples
Example 15.3 (The thickness of the double layer)
In water at () with of a 1:1 salt (), ; at , ten times more. A supporting electrolyte compresses the diffuse layer to a few molecular diameters.