Silver/silver-chloride electrode is by far the most common reference type used today because it is simple, inexpensive, very stable and non-toxic. It is mainly used with saturated potassium chloride electrolyte, but can be used with lower concentrations such as 3.5 mol dm-3 or 1 mol dm-3 potassium chloride. Silver/silver-chloride electrode is a referent electrode based on the following halfreaction
Potential vs. SHE / V | ||
---|---|---|
t / °C | 3.5 mol dm-3 | sat. solution |
15 | 0.212 | 0.209 |
20 | 0.208 | 0.204 |
25 | 0.205 | 0.199 |
30 | 0.201 | 0.194 |
35 | 0.197 | 0.189 |
Electrodes of the second kind are metal electrodes assembly with the equilibrium potential being a function of the concentration of an anion in the solution. Typical examples are the silver/silver-chloride electrode and the calomel electrode. The potential of the metal is controlled by the concentration of its cation in the solution, but this, in turn, is controlled by the anion concentration in the solution through the solubility product of the slightly soluble metal salt. Contrast with electrode of the first kind and electrode of the third kind.
Referent electrode is an electrode whose potential is known and completely independent of analyte concentration. Mostly used referent electrodes are calomel and silver/silver chloride electrode.
Table: Dependence of referent electrodes potentials on KCl concentration
Potential vs. SHE / V | |||||
calomel electrode | Ag/AgCl electrode | ||||
t / °C | 0.1 mol dm-3 | 3.5 mol dm-3 | sat. solution | 3.5 mol dm-3 | sat. solution |
15 | 0.3362 | 0.254 | 0.2511 | 0.212 | 0.209 |
20 | 0.3359 | 0.252 | 0.2479 | 0.208 | 0.204 |
25 | 0.3356 | 0.250 | 0.2444 | 0.205 | 0.199 |
30 | 0.3351 | 0.248 | 0.2411 | 0.201 | 0.194 |
35 | 0.3344 | 0.246 | 0.2376 | 0.197 | 0.189 |
Colloid silver is a bright blue-green powder which dissolved in water gives colloid solution of red colour.
Silver has been known since ancient times. The origin of the name comes from the Latin word argentum meaning silver. It is silvery-ductile and malleable metal. Stable in water and oxygen. Reacts with sulfur compounds to form black sulfides. Silver is found in ores called argentite (AgS), light ruby silver (Ag3AsS3), dark ruby silver (Ag3SbS3) and brittle silver. Used in alloys for jewellery and in other compounds for photography. It is also a good conductor, but expensive.
Electrode of the first kind is a simple metal electrode immersed in a solution containing its own ion (e.g., silver immersed in a silver nitrate solution). The equilibrium potential of this electrode is a function of the concentration (more correctly of activity) of the cation of the electrode metal in the solution (see Nernst’s electrode potential equation).
Calomel electrode is a type of half cell in which the electrode is mercury coated with calomel (Hg2Cl2) and the electrolyte is a solution of potassium chloride and saturated calomel. In the calomel half cell the overall reaction is
Table: Dependence of potential of calomel electrode upon temperature and concentration of KCl according to standard hydrogen electrode
Potential vs. SHE / V | |||
---|---|---|---|
t / °C | 0.1 mol dm-3 | 3.5 mol dm-3 | sat. solution |
15 | 0.3362 | 0.254 | 0.2511 |
20 | 0.3359 | 0.252 | 0.2479 |
25 | 0.3356 | 0.250 | 0.2444 |
30 | 0.3351 | 0.248 | 0.2411 |
35 | 0.3344 | 0.246 | 0.2376 |
Dropping mercury electrode (DME) is a working electrode arrangement for polarography in which mercury continuously drops from a reservoir through a capillary tube (internal diameter 0.03 - 0.05 mm) into the solution. The optimum interval between drops for most analyses is between 2 and 5 s. The unique advantage to the use of the DME is that the constant renewal of the electrode surface, exposed to the test solution, eliminates the effects of electrode poisoning.
Vinyl chloride, CH2=CHCl, is the monomer used in the synthesis of a polyvinylcloride.
Generalic, Eni. "Srebro/srebrov klorid elektroda." Croatian-English Chemistry Dictionary & Glossary. 29 June 2022. KTF-Split. 31 Mar. 2025. <https://glossary.periodni.com>.
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