2. Polarography is a subclass of
voltammetry where the working
electrode is a dropping mercury
electrode (DME).
It is current versus potential are recorded
when gradual changing current is take
place when current applied to cell.
3. A cell containing :
Solution of interest (electroactive
substance)
Stable reference electrode. e.g : calomel
electrode.
Small area of indicator electrode (DME)
Auxiliary or counter electrode .
5. Hg will dropped in stable flow rate 5- 30
drops/min.
Volts applied 50 – 200 mv/min
Drop life 2 – 12 sec.
Potential range (+ 0.4) – (-2) V
6. Advantage of Hg electrode
As the Hg capillary very narrow so, able to
analyse very small volume of analyte.
Surface of electrode is very reproducible .
Surface area of electrode can be calculated
from the weight of drops.
10. Factors affecting diffusion
current
(Ilkovic equation)
ίd = 708 n C D½ m ⅔ t⅙
n : change in valency
C : concentration
D : diffusion coefficient.
m: flow rate of mercury dropping.
t : life time of mercury drop.