Silver chloride electrode
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A silver chloride electrode is a type of reference electrode, used for measuring electrochemical potential. It is the most commonly used reference electrode for testing cathodic protection corrosion control systems in sea water environments.
The electrode functions as a redox electrode and the reaction is between the silver metal (Ag) and its salt — silver chloride (AgCl, also called silver(I) chloride).
The corresponding equations can be presented as follows:
- Ag+ + 1e− → Ag0(s)
- Ag+ + Cl− → AgCl(s)
or an overall reaction can be written:
- Ag0(s) + Cl− → AgCl(s) + e-
This reaction characterized by fast electrode kinetics, meaning that a sufficiently high current can be passed through the electrode with the 100% efficiency of the redox reaction (dissolution of the metal or cathodic deposition of the silver-ions). The reaction has been proved to obey these equations in solutions with pH’s of between 0 and 13.5.
The Nernst equation below shows the dependence of the potential of the silver-silver(I) chloride electrode on the activity or concentration of chloride-ions:
The standart electrode potential E0 against standart hydrogen electrode is 0.230V ± 10mV. The potential is however very sensitive to traces of bromide ions which make it more negative.
[edit] Applications
Commercial reference electrodes consist of a plastic tube electrode body. The electrode is a silver wire that is coated with a thin layer of silver chloride, either by electroplating or by dipping the wire in molten silver chloride.
A porous plug on one end allows contact between the field environment with the silver chloride electrolyte. An insulated lead wire connects the silver rod with measuring instruments. A voltmeter negative lead is connected to the test wire. The reference electrode contains potassium chloride to stabilize the silver chloride concentration.
The potential of a silver:silver chloride reference electrode with respect to the standard hydrogen electrode depends on the electrode composition.
| Electrode | Potential (volt) at 250C | Temperature Coef. |
|---|---|---|
| E0 | (mV/0C) | |
| SHE | 0.000 | +0.87 |
| Ag/AgCl/1.0M KCl | +0.235 | +0.25 |
| Ag/AgCl/0.6M KCl | +0.25 | |
| Ag/AgCl (Seawater) | +0.266 |
Table Source: NACE International CP Specialist Course Manual [1]
The electrode has many features making is suitable for use in the field:
- Simple construction
- Inexpensive to manufacture
- Stable potential
- Non-toxic components
They are usually manufactured with saturated potassium chloride electrolyte, but can be used with lower concentrations such as 1 M potassium chloride. As noted above, changing the electrolyte concentration changes the electrode potential. Silver chloride is slightly soluble in strong potassium chloride solutions, so it is sometimes recommended the potassium chloride be saturated with silver chloride to avoid stripping the silver chloride off the silver wire.
[edit] See also
- Reference electrode
- Standard hydrogen electrode
- Copper-copper(II) sulfate electrode
- Cathodic protection
For use in soil they are usually manufactured with saturated potassium chloride electrolyte, but can be used with lower concentrations such as 1 M potassium chloride. In seawater or chlorinated potable water they are usually directly immersed with no separate electrolyte.As noted above, changing the electrolyte concentration changes the electrode potential. Silver chloride is slightly soluble in strong potassium chloride solutions, so it is sometimes recommended that the potassium chloride be saturated with silver chloride.
