Difference between revisions of "Reference Electrode Potentials"

From eDAQ Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
(The Calomel Electrode)
(The Calomel Electrode)
Line 38: Line 38:
 
:SCE, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturated_calomel_electrode saturated calomel electrode]: Hg/Hg<sub>2</sub >Cl<sub>2</sub>, KCl (sat'd)  
 
:SCE, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturated_calomel_electrode saturated calomel electrode]: Hg/Hg<sub>2</sub >Cl<sub>2</sub>, KCl (sat'd)  
 
:SSCE, saturated salt calomel electrode: Hg/Hg<sub>2</sub >Cl<sub>2</sub>, NaCl (sat'd)
 
:SSCE, saturated salt calomel electrode: Hg/Hg<sub>2</sub >Cl<sub>2</sub>, NaCl (sat'd)
 +
: For values at other temperatures see a calculator [http://www.consultrsr.net/resources/ref/calomelpotl.htm here].
  
  

Revision as of 14:50, 4 August 2014

The Calomel Electrode

The calomel electrode is usually constructed from a platinum wire inserted into a mixture of calomel (mercurous chloride, Hg2Cl2) and liquid mercury, with an electrolyte solution of KCl or NaCl. The relevant half cell equation is: Hg2Cl2 + 2e → 2Hgliq + 2Cl

As this equation implies the electrode potential is dependent on chloride concentration, but independent of hydrogen ion (acid) concentration.


Table 1. Potential (V) of the Calomel Electrode at 25°C
Conditions vs NHE vs SCE LJ Reference
Hg/Hg2Cl2, KCl (0.1 M) 0.3337 0.0925 - 1, 3
Hg/Hg2Cl2, KCl (0.1 M) 0.336 0.092 Yes 2
NCE 0.2801 0.0389 - 1, 3
NCE 0.283 0.039 Yes 2
Hg/Hg2Cl2, KCl (3. 5M) 0.250 0.006 Yes 2
SCE 0.2412 0 - 1, 3
SCE 0.244 0 Yes 2
SSCE 0.2360 -0.0052 - 1

Notes

LJ, liquid junction. Value obtained using a cell which included a liquid junction potential.
NCE, normal calomel electrode: Hg/Hg2Cl2, KCl (1 M)
NHE, normal hydrogen electrode
SCE, saturated calomel electrode: Hg/Hg2Cl2, KCl (sat'd)
SSCE, saturated salt calomel electrode: Hg/Hg2Cl2, NaCl (sat'd)
For values at other temperatures see a calculator here.


References

1. "Electrochemical Methods: Fundamentals and Applications", AJ Bard and LR Faulkner, John Wiley & Sons, NY (2000). See the table on inside back cover.
2. "Electrochemistry for Chemists, Second Edition", DT Sawyer, AJ Sobkowiak, J Roberts, Jr., John Wiley & Sons, NY (1995). See Section 5.2.
3. "Handbook of Analytical Chemistry", L Meites (ed.), McGraw Hill, NY (1963). See Section 5.