What are the differences between the silver/silver chloride reference electrode and the saturated calomel reference electrode?
These reference electrodes are similar, and consist of a redox reaction between a sparingly soluble chloride and the metallic element in an aqueous chloride solution. They can be used interchangeably, BUT it is extremely important to specify which is used, since their potentials are different (e.g., the potential of the BAS silver/silver chloride reference electrodes is -35 mV relative to the saturated calomel electrode). Since potential values are relative to the reference electrode, failure to specify the reference electrode makes any quoted potential values meaningless.
These reference electrodes are similar, and consist of a redox reaction between a sparingly soluble chloride and the metallic element in an aqueous chloride solution. They can be used interchangeably, BUT it is extremely important to specify which is used, since their potentials are different (e.g., the potential of the BASi silver/silver chloride reference electrodes is -35 mV relative to the saturated calomel electrode). Since potential values are relative to the reference electrode, failure to specify the reference electrode makes any quoted potential values meaningless.
