BASi Reference Electrodes

Silver/Silver Chloride (Ag/AgCl) Reference Electrodes

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These compact, glass-bodied reference electrodes are available in two styles. The 7.5 cm long RE-5B reference electrode is used for voltammetry and polarography experiments using the C-2 and C-3 Cell Stands, the CGME Controlled Growth Mercury Electrode, the RDE-1 and RDE-2 Rotating Disk Electrodes, and the LCM Low Current Module. The shorter (3 cm) RE-6 reference electrode is used with the CC-5 Cross-Flow Thin-Layer Flow Cell. Both electrodes have a 6 mm OD glass body, and use a porous junction (frit) made from either ceramic (RE-6) or Vycor (RE-5B). (Note that, due to the high resistance of the ceramic frit, the RE-6 electrode is only recommended for aqueous electrolytes.) Both electrodes can be used to suspend three reference electrodes in the salt solution while protecting the connecting pins and wires from corrosion. If you are doing HPLC with electrochemical detection, go to the LC-EC reference electrode page.

A double junction reference electrode can be set up using an RE-5B reference electrode with the glass chamber MF-2030. This chamber also has a Vycor frit, which must be maintained as described in the previous paragraph.

Note: The RE-1 (MF-2020 and MF-2024) reference electrode has been discontinued: please order the RE-5B reference electrode instead.

Saturated Calomel Reference Electrode (SCE) Kit

This reference electrode comes in kit form and requires user preparation. The kit includes a glass electrode body in the "H " design with a porous Vycor frit and a platinum wire electrode lead. Vials containing saturated KCl solution and calomel paste are provided (please note that mercury is NOT provided, and must be obtained from an alternative source). An instruction sheet illustrates assembly. The user will need glass pipettes, a pipette bulb, and clean mercury for assembly. Once assembled, the electrode must be maintained in a stable, upright position, with the Vycor tip continuously wetted. The electrode should be stored with the tip immersed in a saturated KCl solution.

Non-aqueous Silver/Silver Ion (Ag/Ag⁺) Reference Electrode Kit

This kit contains the parts required for construction of a non-aqueous silver/silver ion reference electrode. The glass electrode body has a porous Vycor tip attached with heat shrink tubing. The removable Teflon top contains a silver wire and 0.060 " gold-plated connecting pin for the cell lead. The kit also contains solid silver nitrate, extra heat shrink tubing, and extra porous Vycor tips. Non-aqueous solvents must be supplied by the user. An instruction sheet illustrates easy assembly.

What properties are required for a reference electrode?

What are the differences between the silver/silver chloride reference electrode and the saturated calomel reference electrode?

What are liquid junction potentials, and how do they affect measured potentials?

What factors can affect the potential of a reference electrode?

How do I store reference electrodes?

Can I use aqueous reference electrodes for non-aqueous solutions?

I need to use anhydrous electrolyte, so an aqueous reference electrode is not suitable. What are the alternatives?

"Practical Problems in Voltammetry 3: Reference Electrodes for Voltammetry", A.W. Bott, Current Separations, 14 (1995) 64.