AN INTRODUCTION TO

ELECTRODE
POTENTIALS

2008
SPECIFICATIONS
ELECTRODE POTENTIALS

CONTENTS
• Types of half cells
• Cell potential
• The standard hydrogen electrode
• Measuring electrode potentials
• The electrochemical series
• Combining half cells
• Cell diagrams
• Uses of E° values
 ELECTRODE POTENTIALS

Before you start it would be helpful to…

• Recall the definitions of oxidation and reduction

• Be able to balance simple ionic equations
• Have a knowledge of simple circuitry
 TYPES OF HALF CELL
These are systems involving oxidation or reduction

METALS IN CONTACT WITH SOLUTIONS OF THEIR IONS

Reaction Cu2+(aq) + 2e¯ Cu(s)

Electrode copper
Solution Cu2+(aq) (1M) - 1M copper sulphate solution
Potential + 0.34V

Reaction Zn2+(aq) + 2e¯ Zn(s)

Electrode zinc
Solution Zn2+(aq) (1M) - 1M zinc sulphate solution
Potential - 0.76V
 TYPES OF HALF CELL
These are systems involving oxidation or reduction

GASES IN CONTACT WITH SOLUTIONS OF THEIR IONS

Reaction 2H+(aq) + 2e¯ H2(g)

Electrode platinum
Solution H+(aq) (1M) - 1M HCl or 0.5M H2SO4
Gas hydrogen ( 1 atm pressure )
Potential 0.00V

Reaction Cl2(aq) + 2e¯ 2Cl¯(g)

Electrode platinum
Solution Cl¯(aq) (1M) - 1M sodium chloride
Gas chorine ( 1 atm pressure )
Potential + 1.36V
 TYPES OF HALF CELL
These are systems involving oxidation or reduction

SOLUTIONS OF IONS IN TWO DIFFERENT OXIDATION STATES

Reaction Fe3+(aq) + e¯ Fe2+(aq)

Electrode platinum
Solution Fe3+(aq) (1M) and Fe2+(aq) (1M)
Potential + 0.77 V

SOLUTIONS OF OXIDISING AGENTS IN ACID SOLUTION

Reaction MnO4¯ + 8H+(aq) + 5e¯ Mn2+(aq) + 4H2O(l)

Electrode platinum
Solution MnO4¯(aq) (1M) and Mn2+(aq) (1M) and H+(aq)
Potential + 1.52 V
 CELL POTENTIAL
Each electrode / electrolyte combination has its own
half-reaction which sets up a potential difference

The value is
affected by ... TEMPERATURE
PRESSURE OF ANY GASES
SOLUTION CONCENTRATION

Measurement it is impossible to measure the potential of a single electrode…

BUT... you can measure the potential difference between two electrodes
it is measured relative to a reference cell under standard conditions

The ultimate reference is the STANDARD HYDROGEN ELECTRODE.

However, as it is difficult to set up, secondary standards are used.
 THE STANDARD HYDROGEN ELECTRODE

The ultimate reference is the STANDARD HYDROGEN ELECTRODE. However as it is

difficult to set up secondary standards are used.

HYDROGEN GAS AT 1
298K (25°C) ATMOSPHERE
PRESSURE

SOLUTION OF 1M H+(aq) PLATINUM

ELECTRODE
e.g. 1M HCl or 0.5M H2SO4

The standard hydrogen electrode is assigned an E° value of 0.00V.

 MEASUREMENT OF E° VALUES

SALT BRIDGE

HYDROGEN (1 ATM)

ZINC PLATINUM
ELECTRODE

ZINC SULPHATE (1M) HYDROCHLORIC

ACID (1M)

In the diagram the standard hydrogen electrode is shown coupled up to a zinc half
cell. The voltmeter reading gives the standard electrode potential of the zinc cell.

conditions temperature 298K

solution conc. 1 Molar (1 mol dm-3) with respect to ions
gases 1 atmosphere pressure

salt bridge filled with saturated potassium chloride solution

it enables the circuit to be completed
 THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SERIES
E° / V
F2(g) + 2e¯ 2F¯(aq) +2.87
MnO4¯(aq) + 8H+(aq) + 5e¯ Mn2+(aq) + 4H2O(l) +1.52
Cl2(g) + 2e¯ 2Cl¯(aq) +1.36
Cr2O72-(aq) + I4H+(aq) + 6e¯ 2Cr3+(aq) + 7H2O(l) +1.33
Br2(l) + 2e¯ 2Br¯(aq) +1.07 REACTION MORE
Ag (aq) + e¯Ag(s)
+
+0.80 LIKELY TO WORK
Fe3+(aq) + e¯ Fe2+(aq) +0.77 SPECIES ON LEFT
O2(g) + 2H+(aq) + 2e¯ H2O2(aq) +0.68 ARE MORE POWERFUL
OXIDATION AGENTS
I2(s) + 2e¯2I¯(aq) +0.54
Cu+(aq) + e¯Cu(s) +0.52
Cu2+(aq) + 2e¯Cu(s) +0.34
Cu2+(aq) + e¯Cu+(aq) +0.15
2H+(aq) + 2e¯ H2(g) 0.00
Sn2+(aq) + 2e¯Sn(s) -0.14
Fe2+(aq) + 2e¯ Fe(s) -0.44
Zn2+ (aq) + 2e¯ Zn(s) -0.76

Layout If species are arranged in order of their standard electrode potentials you
get a series that shows how good each substance is at gaining electrons.
All equations are written as reduction processes ... i.e. gaining electrons
A species with a higher E° value oxidise (reverses) one with a lower value
 THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SERIES
E° / V
F2(g) + 2e¯ 2F¯(aq) +2.87
MnO4¯(aq) + 8H+(aq) + 5e¯ Mn2+(aq) + 4H2O(l) +1.52
Cl2(g) + 2e¯ 2Cl¯(aq) +1.36 AN EQUATION
Cr2O72-(aq) + I4H+(aq) + 6e¯ 2Cr3+(aq) + 7H2O(l) +1.33 WITH A
HIGHER E°
Br2(l) + 2e¯ 2Br¯(aq) +1.07 VALUE WILL
Ag+(aq) + e¯Ag(s) +0.80 REVERSE AN
Fe3+(aq) + e¯ Fe2+(aq) +0.77 EQUATION
O2(g) + 2H+(aq) + 2e¯ H2O2(aq) +0.68 WITH A LOWER
VALUE
I2(s) + 2e¯2I¯(aq) +0.54
Cu+(aq) + e¯Cu(s) +0.52
Cu2+(aq) + 2e¯Cu(s) +0.34
Cu2+(aq) + e¯Cu+(aq) +0.15
2H+(aq) + 2e¯ H2(g) 0.00
Sn2+(aq) + 2e¯Sn(s) -0.14
Fe2+(aq) + 2e¯ Fe(s) -0.44
Zn2+ (aq) + 2e¯ Zn(s) -0.76

Application Chlorine is a more powerful oxidising agent - it has a higher E°

Chlorine will get its electrons by reversing the iodine equation
Cl2(g) + 2e¯ ——> 2Cl¯(aq) and 2I¯(aq) ——> I2(s) + 2e¯
Overall equation is Cl2(g) + 2I¯(aq) ——> I2(s) + 2Cl¯(aq)
 SECONDARY STANDARDS

Why? The standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) is difficult to set up

it is easier to choose a more convenient secondary standard
the secondary standard has been calibrated against the SHE

Calomel • the calomel electrode contains Hg2Cl2

• it has a standard electrode potential of +0.27V
• is used as the LH electrode to determine the potential of an unknown
• to get the value of the other cell ADD 0.27V to the measured cell potential
 ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS

CELLS • electrochemical cells contain two electrodes

• each electrode / electrolyte combination has its own half-reaction
• the electrons produced by one half reaction are available for the other
• oxidation occurs at the anode
• reduction occurs at the cathode.

ANODE Zn(s) ——> Zn2+(aq) + 2e¯OXIDATION

CATHODE Cu2+(aq) + 2e¯ ——> Cu(s) REDUCTION

The resulting cell has a potential difference (voltage) called the cell
potential which depends on the difference between the two potentials

It is affected by ... • current

• temperature
• pressure of any gases
• solution concentrations
 A TYPICAL COMBINATION OF HALF CELLS

1.10V

ZINC COPPER
ZINC
SULPHATE (1M) COPPER
SULPHATE (1M)
E° = - 0.76V E° = + 0.34V

zinc is more reactive - it dissolves to give ions Zn(s) ——> Zn2+(aq) + 2e¯
the electrons produced go round the external circuit to the copper electrode

electrons are picked up by copper ions Cu2+(aq) + 2e¯ ——> Cu(s)

As a result, copper is deposited

overall reaction Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq) ——> Zn2+(aq) + Cu(s)

 CELL DIAGRAMS
These give a diagrammatic representation of what is happening in a cell.
• Place the cell with the more positive E° value on the RHS of the diagram.
Cu2+(aq) + 2e¯ Cu(s) E° = + 0.34V put on the RHS
Zn2+(aq) + 2e¯ Zn(s) E° = - 0.76V put on the LHS

Zn Zn2+ Cu2+ Cu
 CELL DIAGRAMS
These give a diagrammatic representation of what is happening in a cell.
• Place the cell with the more positive E° value on the RHS of the diagram.
Cu2+(aq) + 2e¯ Cu(s) E° = + 0.34V put on the RHS
Zn2+(aq) + 2e¯ Zn(s) E° = - 0.76V put on the LHS

Zn Zn2+ Cu2+ Cu

ZINC IS IN CONTACT THE SOLUTIONS A SOLUTION OF

WITH A SOLUTION ARE JOINED VIA A COPPER IONS IN
OF ZINC IONS SALT BRIDGE TO CONTACT WITH COPPER
 CELL DIAGRAMS
These give a diagrammatic representation of what is happening in a cell.
• Place the cell with the more positive E° value on the RHS of the diagram.
Cu2+(aq) + 2e¯ Cu(s) E° = + 0.34V put on the RHS
Zn2+(aq) + 2e¯ Zn(s) E° = - 0.76V put on the LHS

_ Zn Zn2+ Cu2+ Cu
+

• Draw as shown… the cell reaction goes from left to right

• the zinc metal dissolves Zn(s) ——> Zn2+(aq) + 2e¯ OXIDATION

• copper is deposited Cu2+(aq) + 2e¯ ——> Cu(s) REDUCTION
• oxidation takes place at the anode
• reduction at the cathode
 CELL DIAGRAMS
These give a diagrammatic representation of what is happening in a cell.
• Place the cell with the more positive E° value on the RHS of the diagram.
Cu2+(aq) + 2e¯ Cu(s) E° = + 0.34V put on the RHS
Zn2+(aq) + 2e¯ Zn(s) E° = - 0.76V put on the LHS

_ Zn Zn2+ Cu2+ Cu
+

V
• Draw as shown… the electrons go round the external circuit from left to right

• electrons are released when zinc turns into zinc ions

• the electrons produced go round the external circuit to the copper
• electrons are picked up by copper ions and copper is deposited
 CELL DIAGRAMS
These give a diagrammatic representation of what is happening in a cell.
• Place the cell with the more positive E° value on the RHS of the diagram.
Cu2+(aq) + 2e¯ Cu(s) E° = + 0.34V put on the RHS
Zn2+(aq) + 2e¯ Zn(s) E° = - 0.76V put on the LHS

_ Zn Zn2+ Cu2+ Cu
+

• Draw as shown… the cell voltage is E°(RHS) - E°(LHS) - it must be positive

cell voltage = +0.34V - (-0.76V) = +1.10V

 USE OF Eo VALUES - WILL IT WORK?
E° values Can be used to predict the feasibility of redox and cell reactions

In theory ANY REDOX REACTION WITH A POSITIVE E° VALUE WILL WORK

In practice, it proceeds if the E° value of the reaction is greater than + 0.40V

An equation with a more positive E° value reverse a less positive one

 USE OF Eo VALUES - WILL IT WORK?
An equation with a more positive E° value reverse a less positive one

What happens if an Sn(s) / Sn2+(aq) and a Cu(s) / Cu2+(aq) cell are connected?

Write out the equations Cu2+(aq) + 2e¯ Cu(s) ; E° = +0.34V

Sn2+(aq) + 2e¯ Sn(s) ; E° = -0.14V

the half reaction with the more positive E° value is more likely to work
it gets the electrons by reversing the half reaction with the lower E° value

therefore Cu2+(aq) ——> Cu(s) and

Sn(s) ——> Sn2+(aq)

the overall reaction is Cu2+(aq) + Sn(s) ——> Sn2+(aq) + Cu(s)

the cell voltage is the difference in E° values... (+0.34) - (-0.14) = + 0.48V

 USE OF Eo VALUES - WILL IT WORK?
An equation with a more positive E° value reverse a less positive one

Will this reaction be spontaneous? Sn(s) + Cu2+(aq) ——> Sn2+(aq) + Cu(s)

Write out the appropriate equations Cu2+(aq) + 2e¯ Cu(s) ; E° = +0.34V

as reductions with their E° values Sn2+(aq) + 2e¯ Sn(s) ; E° = - 0.14V

The reaction which takes place will involve the more positive one reversing the other
i.e. Cu2+(aq) ——> Cu(s) and Sn(s) ——> Sn2+(aq)

The cell voltage will be the difference

in E° values and will be positive... (+0.34) - (- 0.14) = + 0.48V

If this is the equation you want then it will be spontaneous

If it is the opposite equation (going the other way) it will not be spontaneous
 USE OF Eo VALUES - WILL IT WORK?
An equation with a more positive E° value reverse a less positive one

Will this reaction be spontaneous? Sn(s) + Cu2+(aq) ——> Sn2+(aq) + Cu(s)

Split equation into two half equations Cu2+(aq) + 2e¯ ——> Cu(s)
Sn(s) ——> Sn2+(aq) + 2e¯

Find the electrode potentials Cu2+(aq) + 2e¯ Cu(s) ; E° = +0.34V

and the usual equations Sn2+(aq) + 2e¯ Sn(s) ; E° = - 0.14V

Reverse one equation and its sign Sn(s) ——> Sn2+(aq) + 2e¯ ; E° = +0.14V

Combine the two half equations Sn(s) + Cu2+(aq) ——> Sn2+(aq) + Cu(s)

Add the two numerical values (+0.34V) + (+ 0.14V) = +0.48V

If the value is positive the reaction will be spontaneous
 REVISION CHECK
What should you be able to do?

Recall the different types of half cells

Recall the structure of the standard hydrogen electrode
Recall the methods used to calculate standard electrode electrode potentials
Write balanced full and half equations representing electrochemical processes
Know that a reaction can be spontaneous if it has a positive E value
Calculate if a reaction is feasible by finding its E value

CAN YOU DO ALL OF THESE? YES NO

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 AN INTRODUCTION TO

ELECTRODE
POTENTIALS
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