Copper-copper(II) sulfate electrode

The copper / copper sulphate electrode is a reference electrode of the first kind

If a copper wire immersed in a solution, so go metal ions Cu2 in solution, and it adjusts itself an electrode potential. This transfer reaction is the potential-determining reaction for the electrode. According to the Nernst equation the electrode potential of the following The potential of the electrode is therefore dependent only on the activity or concentration of the copper ions. Is used as the solution, a copper sulfate solution, the concentration of the copper ion is added on the solubility product at a certain temperature: A constant concentration of copper ion thus a constant electrode potential is reached ( reference electrode). For practical applications often a saturated copper sulfate solution is used. This primarily has the advantage that the efficiency of the electrode can be visually checked, as long as blue crystals of copper sulphate present in the solution, it is saturated and hence, the potential is constant ( for a given temperature). The standard potential of the copper / copper sulphate electrode is compared to the standard hydrogen electrode 318 mV. The copper / copper sulfate electrode is referred to by the abbreviation CSE (of English. Copper / copper sulfate -electrode ).

Application

• In construction, copper / copper sulfate electrode are used for condition assessment of reinforced concrete structures ( potential measurement ). In comparison to other reference electrodes, the copper / copper sulfate electrodes are easy to prepare and also very durable, which is why they are well suited for use on the construction site, or on the object.

• Electrode ( electrochemistry )