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ELECTROCHEMICAL METHODS Fundamentals and Applications - Allen.J.Bard

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26 : Chapter 1. Introduction <strong>and</strong> Overview of Electrode Processes<br />

т<br />

Working or<br />

indicator<br />

Reference<br />

Auxiliary or<br />

counter<br />

electrodes<br />

Figure 1.3.10 Three-electrode cell <strong>and</strong><br />

notation for the different electrodes.<br />

tions from the ohmic drop in solution. With such electrodes, currents of the order of 1<br />

nA are typical; hence R s<br />

values even in the Mft range can be acceptable.<br />

In experiments where iR s<br />

may be high (e.g., in large-scale electrolytic or galvanic<br />

cells or in experiments involving nonaqueous solutions with low conductivities), a<br />

three-electrode cell (Figure 1.3.10) is preferable. In this arrangement, the current is<br />

passed between the working electrode <strong>and</strong> a counter (or auxiliary) electrode. The auxiliary<br />

electrode can be any convenient one, because its electrochemical properties do not<br />

Vacuum<br />

Capillary<br />

N 2<br />

or H 2<br />

inlet<br />

29/26<br />

Hg<br />

Saturated KCI<br />

Medium-porosity<br />

sintered-Pyrex<br />

disc<br />

14 cm<br />

Auxilliary<br />

electrode<br />

Reference<br />

electrode<br />

Solution<br />

level<br />

Hg 2<br />

CI 2<br />

+ KCI<br />

Hg<br />

4% agar /saturated<br />

potassium chloride<br />

Coarse-porosity,<br />

sintered-Pyrex<br />

gas-dispersion<br />

cylinder<br />

Medium frit<br />

Stirring bar<br />

Figure 1.3.11 Typical two- <strong>and</strong> three-electrode cells used in electrochemical experiments, (a) Twoelectrode<br />

cell for polarography. The working electrode is a dropping mercury electrode (capillary) <strong>and</strong> the N2<br />

inlet tube is for deaeration of the solution. [From L. Meites, Polarographic Techniques, 2nd ed., Wiley-<br />

Interscience, New York, 1965, with permission.] (b) Three-electrode cell designed for studies with<br />

nonaqueous solutions at a platinum-disk working electrode, with provision for attachment to a vacuum line.<br />

[Reprinted with permission from A. Demortier <strong>and</strong> A. J. <strong>Bard</strong>, /. Am. С hem. Soc, 95, 3495 (1973). Copyright<br />

1973, American Chemical Society.] Three-electrode cells for bulk electrolysis are shown in Figure 11.2.2.

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