Chapter 4

ELECTROCHEMISTRY
Lecture/Lession Plan -3

ELECTROCHEMISTRY

4.1 Electrochemical cell

Chemical reaction can take place by passing electrical energy under suitable condition. This is com-
monly known as electrolysis. The device, where this transformation may take place is known as
electrolytic cell.
In case of reverse electrolysis, spontaneous chemical reaction generates electrical energy and the de-
vice where this phenomenon happens is known as electrochemical cell or galvanic cell. An example
of electrochemical cell is Daniel cell. In this section we will discuss details of electrochemical cells
and how some physical parameters of a solution can be determined from from it.

4.2 Redox reaction

If in a chemical reaction oxidation and reduction happens simultaneously, then the reaction is known
as redox reaction. In this section we will emphasize on that type of oxidation-reduction reaction
which happens by electron transfer only.
Generally loos of electron is known as oxidation and gain of electron by another species is known as
reduction.

M → M+n + ne 99K oxidation

M+n + ne → M 99K reduction

If a zinc rod is dipped in a blue coloured copper sulphate solution, mettalic zinc will be oxidised by
loosing electron and zinc cation will come into solution whereas copper cation will be reduced by
accepting electron to brown coloured metallic copper and will be deposited on zinc rod. Thus with
time we will notice the disappearance of blue colour of the solution and overgrowth of brown copper

7
8 CHAPTER 4. ELECTROCHEMISTRY LECTURE/LESSION PLAN -3

on zinc rod. This oxidation-reduction (redox) can be expressed as-

Zn(s) + Cu+2 (aq) → Zn+2 (aq) + Cu(s)

The above stated reaction and the principle can be used to form a galvanic cell which is known as
Daniel Cell.

Galvanic cell

A zinc rod is dipped in a zinc sulphate solution and a copper rod is dipped in a copper sulphate
solution separately. Now if we connect the two rod by an external circuit and an ammeter is placed
in parallel to the circuit.

4.2.1 Salt bridge

Two end of an inverted U-tube is dipped into two beaker containing solution. Both end of the
U-tube is plugged by cotton or wool so that any direct contact of electrolyte solution and the salt
inside salt bridge can be avoided. This U-tube is known as salt bridge and is filled with electrolyte
like KCl, KNO3 or NH4 NO3 etc.
As soon as the external circuit is completed, a flow of electricity will be observed as deflection in
ammeter will be noticed. This is due to the flow of electron from zinc rod to copper rod. These rods
are termed as electrodes; the zinc rod will be called as ANODE and the copper will be called as
CATHODE. As the electron flows from zinc (Anode) to copper (Cathode), the zinc rod must be rich
of electron and there must be demand for electron at copper rod. This indicate that electron loss re-
action (oxidation) is happening at anode and electron consumption reaction (reduction) is happening
at cathode. The chemical reaction that is responsible for the generation of electricity will be like this-

At ANODE

Zn(s) → Zn+2 (aq) + 2e− ( Oxidation)

At CATHODE

Cu+2 (aq) + 2e− → Cu(s)( Reduction)

4.3. GENERAL WAY TO REPRESENT AN ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL 9

Zn(s) + Cu+2 (aq) → Zn+2 (aq) + Cu(s)

As the negative charged electron flows from zinc rod (anode) to copper rod (cathode), conven-
tionally the current will flow in opposite direction.
Function of salt bridge: Salt bridge mainly helps in maintaining the electrical neutrality of both
the electrolytic solution used in a Daniel cell. When the redox reaction happens in a Daniel cell, from
anode metallic zinc is converted to zinc cation and comes to solution hence the solution is enriching
with positive charge. To neutralize this positive charge, negative charged ions like chloride anion
etc comes out from the salt bridge and goes into anode solution. Similarly, at cathode positively
charged cations are reduced and hence the electrolyte solution have a shortening of positive charge.
To neutralize this, salt bridge provide the cations like potassium cation etc.

4.3 General way to represent an electrochemical cell

Generally ANODE is represented at left hand side and CATHODE is represented at right hand side
and both side is separated by salt bridge. Anode is represented by writing the metallic electrode
first followed by a single bar vertically and then the electrolyte solution. For cathode, the electrolyte
solution is written first followed by the vertical bar and the metallic electrode. The physical states of
both the electrolytic solution and the electrode written in first bracket sometimes. Now in between
cathode and and anode a double vertical bar placed as a symbol for salt bridge. Thus the above
Daniel cell be represented as-

Zn | ZnSO4 k CuSO4 | Cu

where the first part is anode and the second part is cathode.
Anode:

Zn | ZnSO4

and Cathode:

CuSO4 | Cu

Sometimes a single electrolyte solution and two electrode used in a galvanic cell. In that case to
represent the cell, no vertical bar is used for salt bridge and the cell is represented as-

Pt, H2 (1 atm); HCl(a=1); Cl2 ; Pt

4.4 EMF of Cell

In a general galvanic cell electron flow from anode to cathode; this implies that the anode is rich
of electron and cathode have a demand for electron. In very crude scence greater the difference of
electron density in between this two electrode, higher will be the potential difference between the two
half cell. This potential difference basically controls the flow of electricity in a galvanic cell circuit.
The difference in potential between two electrode is known as electromotive force (EMF). Now, as
in anode oxidation takes place so potential of anode is known as oxidation potential. Similarly the
10 CHAPTER 4. ELECTROCHEMISTRY LECTURE/LESSION PLAN -3

potential of cathode is known as reduction potential. Electromotive force (EMF) of a cell will be
defined as a force which drives the negatively charged electrons from anode to cathode and hence
the electricity flow from cathode to anode.
Standard EMF or Potential (E0 ): Standard EMF or standard potential of a cell is defined as the
EMF of an electrode when all the component of the cell are in standard state, i.e., solutes are at 1M
concentration, gaseous components are in 1 atm pressure, solid components are at their pure state
and temperature of the system is at 250 C. EMF of a cell is generally expressed as Ecell .
The EMF of a cell will be the sum of the two electrode potential;

Ecell = Eanode (oxidation) + Ecathode (reduction)

where Eanode is the oxidation potential of anode and Ecathode is the reduction potential of cathode.
Now, conventionally cell emf can be written in reduction format, i.e., both the cathode and anode
emf should be expressed in reduction form. The cathode was already in reduction format and hence
we need to change the anode expression from oxidation format to a reduction format. Generally a
change in sign will do this job.

Ecell = Ecathode (reduction) − Eanode (reduction)

Thermodynamic significance of EMF: As both emf (E) of a cell and Gibbs free energy (∆G) related
to spontaneity of a chemical reaction, hence both can be correlated by an equation-

∆G = − nFE

where n is the number of electron involve in the reaction and F denotes Faraday (96500 coulomb/mole).
As both n and F is positive valued for a chemical reaction, then EMF (E) of a reaction must be
positive for spontaneity of the chemical reaction as in that case ∆G will be negative.
So, for a spontaneous chemical reaction E must be positive and for a non-spontaneous reaction E
will ne negative. For a equilibrium reaction E will be zero.

4.5 Nernst equation

The Nernst equation represents a relationship between cell potential and the concentration of the
reactant and product present in that chemical cell.
Let us consider a chemical reaction-

aA + bB = cC + dD

where a mole A reacts with b mole B and gives c mole C and d mole D as product. Now change in
Gibbs free energy of this chemical reaction can be written as-

∆G = ∆G0 + RTlnQ

where Q is known as reaction quoscent which is very similar to equilibrium constant (K) and ∆G0
is called as standard change of Gibbs free energy.
Where Q can be expressed as-

[C]c [D]d
Q =
[A]a [B]b
4.6. SINGLE ELECTRODE POTENTIAL 11

As we know that-

∆G = − nFE
∆G0 = − nFE0
− nFE = − nFE 0 + RTlnQ
RT
E = E0 − lnQ
nF
0.0591
E = E0 − logQ
n
This is Nernst equation which shows how emf of a cell changes with the change of concentration of
both reactant and product.

4.6 Single Electrode Potential

The standard potential of a galvanic cell can be expressed as-

E0cell = E0cathode/reduction + E0anode/oxidation

E0cell = E0cathode/reduction − E0anode/reduction

Where E0cathode/reduction is the standard reduction potential of the cathode half cell and E0anode/oxidation
is the standard oxidation potential of the anode half cell. The standard potential of any half cell
or any one electrode can not be determined directly. We can only measure the difference in emf
between two electrode by constructing cell. In this case if we can use one standard electrode or
reference electrode whose standard potential is zero, then we can measure the difference or the the
standard potential of the other half cell.
Standard hydrogen electrode can solve this problem as the standard potential of hydrogen electrode
is zero. This electrode can be formed by immersing a platinum wire (electrode) in a acid solution of
strength 1(M). Interesting point is that this hydrogen electrode can serve either as cathode or anode
depending upon the nature of other half cell electrode.
As anode: The hydrogen electrode can be used as anode and in that case pure H2 gas is passed into
solution and it is oxides to hydrogen ion (cation) by releasing electron at Pt electrode. In this case,
the other half cell will act as cathode and electron will be transported from hydrogen electrode to
cathode where selective reduction will happen. Any half cell electrode whose standard reduction
potential is positive can serve as cathode with hydrogen electrode as anode to complete a full elec-
trochemical cell where spontaneous chemical reaction will generate electrical energy.
As cathode:Similarly, the hydrogen electrode can be used as cathode and in that case H+ ion will
be reduced to hydrogen gas by accepting electron. In this case, the other half cell will act as anoode
and electron will be transported to hydrogen electrode from anoode where selective oxidation will
happen. Any half cell electrode whose standard reduction potential is negative can serve as anoode
with hydrogen electrode as cathode to complete a full electrochemical cell where spontaneous chem-
ical reaction will generate electrical energy.
Standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) can be expressed as-

Pt(s) | H2 (g, 1 atm) | H+ (aq, 1 M)

12 CHAPTER 4. ELECTROCHEMISTRY LECTURE/LESSION PLAN -3

Anode half cell reaction:

1
H2 (g, 1 atm) = H+ (aq, 1 atm) + e
2
The reverse will be for cathode half cell reaction. Now for both cases the electrode potential will be
0 V at 250 C.

4.7 Determination of standard half cell reduction potential

of an unknown electrode half cell
Let us consider to determine the M+n | M half cell standard reduction potential. In this case we will
make a electrochemical cell with this half cell with a standard hydrogen electrode. If by the com-
pletion of external circuit, hydrogen gas bubbling is observed at hydrogen electrode then hydrogen
electrode is acting as cathode. If we observed that hydrogen gas is consumed at hydrogen electrode,
then hydrogen electrode is acting as anode.
If hydrogen electrode acts as cathode, then-

E0cell = E0H+ |H − E0 +n
2 M |M
E0cell 0
= 0 − E +n
M |M
E0 +n = − E0cell
M |M
If hydrogen electrode acts as anode, then-

E0cell = E0 +n − EH0
+
|H2
M |M
E0cell = E0 +n − 0
M |M
E0 +n = E0cell
M |M
A list of standard reduction potential of some half cell electrode is given here from higher positive
value to lower value. The value of standard reduction potential indicates the tendency of a species of
higher oxidation state to go to a lower oxidation (reduction) state. If two half cell electrode combine
and form a electrochemical cell, that electrode will act as cathode preferentially with relatively higher
standard reduction potential. Now if we look the standard reduction potential of these two electrode-

E0Cu+2 |Cu = +0.34V

E0Zn+2 |Zn = −0.76V

This value indicates that Cu+2 will preferentially reduced to metallic Cu at cathode and at anode
Zn will be oxidised to Zn+2 as standard reduction potential value of copper system is higher than
zinc system. Point to mention that if we use silver system instead of copper system, then Ag+
preferentially reduced to silver at cathode and Cu will be oxidised to Cu+2 at anode as standard
4.8. APPLICATION OF NERNST EQUATION 13

reduction potential value of silver system is higher than copper system.

E0Ag+ |Ag = +0.80V

4.8 Application of Nernst Equation

4.8.1 Measure of pH of a solution by using hydrogen electrode and stan-
dard hydrogen electrode:
An electrochemical cell can be constructed by using standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) (a=1; acid
strength is 1M) and a hydrogen electrode (a=x; acid strength is unknown).

Pt(s) | H2 (g, 1 atm) | H+ (aq, a = 1 M) k H+ (aq, a = x) | H2 (g, 1 atm) | Pt(s)

Here the standard hydrogen electrode acts as anode and hydrogen electrode acts as cathode. The
half cell potential value of standard hydrogen electrode is zero.
The cell potetial of the above cell can be expressed as-

Ecell = Ecathode − Eanode

Ecell = EH+ |H − ESHE
2

Ecell = EH+ |H − 0
2

Ecell = EH+ |H
2

Now the half cell reaction at cathode is-

1
H+ + e = H2
2
0
So,EH+ |H = EH+ |H − 0.0591
2 2

So, the Nernst equation for above half cell will be-

0 0.0591 [H2 ] 2
EH+ |H = EH+ |H − log +
2 2 1 H
1
EH+ |H = 0 − 0.0591log +
2 H
EH+ |H = −0.0591pH
2

Replacing this value in above equation-

Ecell = −0.0591pH
Ecell
pH =
−0.0591
14 CHAPTER 4. ELECTROCHEMISTRY LECTURE/LESSION PLAN -3

Thus pH of a solution can be determined from observed value of an properly constructed electro-
chemical cell.
Measure of pH of a solution by using standard hydrogen electrode and a calomel electrode:
Calomel electrode is a half cell electrode which can be used as a reference electrode. In combination
of calomel electrode and another unknown electrode, the potential of the later can be calculated from
observed cell potential value. Calomel electrode can be constructed by using mercury, mercurous
chloride, and KCl solution in a glass tube. As depicted in the picture, mercury (Hg) is taken in the
glass tube and on top of this a paste of mercury and mercurous chloride (Hg2 Cl2 ) is placed. Finally
a known concentration of KCl solution placed on top of the paste in such a way that no mixing
happens. A Pt wire is attached to mercury layer only which is connected to electrical circuit.
An electrochemical cell can be constructed by using standard hydrogen electrode as anode and
calomel electrode as cathode-

Pt(s) | H2 (g, 1 atm) | H+ (aq, a = 1 M) k Hg(l) | Hg2 Cl2 (s) | Cl− (aq)
The cathode half cell reaction for calomel electrode will be-

Hg2 Cl2 + 2e → 2Hg(l) + 2Cl− (aq)

We can express the cell potential for this half cell by using Nernst equation-

0.0591 2
EHg Cl2 |Hg = E0Hg Cl |Hg − log[Cl− ]
2 2 2 2
EHg Cl2 |Hg = 0.27 − 0.0591 log[Cl− ]; (E0Hg Cl |Hg = 0.27V)
2 2 2

From the above equation we can say that the value of calomel half cell potential depends on chloride
ion concentration. If we can fix the concentration of KCl or the chloride ion concentration of a
calomel electrode, the half cell potential can be determined. In reality three varieties of calomel
electrode available depending upon KCl concentration.
Now, the cell potential of this electrochemical cell can be expressed as-

Ecell = Ecathode − Eanode

Ecell = EHg Cl2 |Hg − EH+ |H
2 2

Ecell = EHg Cl2 |Hg − (−0.00591pH)

2

Ecell = EH+ |H + 0.0591pH

2

Ecell − EHg Cl2 |Hg

pH = 2
[ at 298K]
0.0591
The value of proper calomel electrode potentail is available in literature depending upon chloride ion
concentration and the observed value for cell potential can be determined from experiment. Hence
we can calculate the pH of a acidic solution.

4.9 Quinhydrone electrode

It is a redox electrode where oxidation and reduction happens on organic substrate quinone and
hydroquinone. An equimolar solution of quinone and hydroquinone is used here and the platinum
4.9. QUINHYDRONE ELECTRODE 15

wire of the calomel elctrode is attached to it.

The Nernst equation for this half cell reaction will be like-

Q + 2H+ + 2e → H2 Q
0.0591 [H2 Q]
EQ|H2 Q = E0Q|H Q − log
2 2 [Q][H+ ]2
0.0591
EQ|H2 Q = E0Q|H Q − log[H+ ]2
2 2
0.0591
EQ|H2 Q = E0Q|H Q + log[H+ ]2
2 2
EQ|H2 Q = E0Q|H Q + 0.0591log[H+ ]
2
0
EQ|H2 Q = EQ|H Q − 0.0591pH
2
0
EQ|H Q − EQ|H2 Q
2
pH =
0.0591
Thus pH can be determined by using quinhydron electrode.