SECTION 5 Galvanic Cells

We saw in Section 9.3 that the standard reaction Gibbs free energy, AGr°, is related to the equilibrium constant of the reaction by AGr° = —RT In K. In this chapter, we have seen that the standard reaction Gibbs free energy is related to the standard emf of a galvanic cell by AGr° = —nFE°, with n a pure number. When we combine the two equations, we get... 

Lithium metal had few uses until after World War II, when thermonuclear weapons were developed (see Section 17.11). This application has had an effect on the molar mass of lithium. Because only lithium-6 could be used in these weapons, the proportion of lithium-7 and, as a result, the molar mass of commercially available lithium has increased. A growing application of lithium is in the rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Because lithium has the most negative standard potential of all the elements, it can produce a high potential when used in a galvanic cell. Furthermore, because lithium has such a low density, lithium-ion batteries are light. 

C19-0016. Use tabulated thermodynamic data to verily that the galvanic cell of Section Exercise is spontaneous in the direction written. 

Galvanic cells use redox reactions to generate electrical current. Electrical current can also drive redox reactions, and the same stoichiometric relationships apply to such processes, as we describe in Section 19-1. 

C19-0030. In Section Exercise, an aluminum-iron galvanic cell was proposed. Using information presented in this section, explain why this cell is unlikely to make a good batteiy. 

Galvanic cells that include at least one electrolyte-electrolyte interface (which may be an interface with a membrane) across which ions can be transported by diffusion are called cells with transference. For the electrolyte-electrolyte interfaces considered in earlier sections, cells with transference can be formulated, for example, as... 

Galvanic cells of the Nerst type are also termed cells with dissolution membranes or solvent type membranes [3]. Such systems are defined by the distribution equilibria in which all ions, present in aqueous and in organic solvents, participate (Section III.A). The general examples of the liquid concentration and chemical galvanic cells of this type are presented in the form of Schemes 8 and 9. 

Another galvanic cell of highly practical and theoretical importance is the so-called standard cell (see Section 2.2.2), use of which has to be made as a calibration standard in non-faradaic potentiometry. For this purpose, the saturated Weston cell is the most accepted as its emf is reproducible, precisely known, only slightly temperature dependent in the region around 25° C (1.01832 V) and insensitive to unexpected current flows, if any. 

A description of an electrolytic cell has already been given under cell features (Section 1.3.2, Fig. 1.1c). Another example is the cell with static inert electrodes (Pt) shown in Fig. 3.1 where an applied voltage (Eappl) allows a current to pass that causes the evolution of Cl2 gas at the anode and the precipitation of Zn metal on the cathode. As a consequence, a galvanic cell, (Pt)Zn 2 ZnCl2 Cl2 iPt+, occurs whose emf counteracts the voltage applied this counter- or back-emf can be calculated with the Nernst equation to be... 

Two types of methods are used to measure activity coefficients. Potentiometric methods that measure the mean activity coefficient of the dissolved electrolyte directly will be described in Section 3.3.3. However, in galvanic cells with liquid junctions the electrodes respond to individual ion activities (Section 3.2). This is particularly true for pH measurement (Sections 3.3.2 and 6.3). In these cases, extrathermodynamical procedures defining individual ion activities must be employed. 

This section will consider only chemical galvanic cells in which the chemical energy is converted to electrical energy. 

So far, a cell containing a single electrolyte solution has been considered (a galvanic cell without transport). When the two electrodes of the cell are immersed into different electrolyte solutions in the same solvent, separated by a liquid junction (see Section 2.5.3), this system is termed a galvanic cell with transport. The relationship for the EMF of this type of a cell is based on a balance of the Galvani potential differences. This approach yields a result similar to that obtained in the calculation of the EMF of a cell without transport, plus the liquid junction potential value A0L. Thus Eq. (3.1.66) assumes the form... 

However, in contrast to the EMF of a galvanic cell, the resultant expressions contain the activities of the individual ions, which must be calculated by using the extrathermodynamic approach described in Section 1.3. 

Refer to the Introduction to Voltaic or Galvanic Cells, Section 21-8 and Figure 21-6. 

As mentioned previously, electroanalytical techniques that measure or monitor electrode potential utilize the galvanic cell concept and come under the general heading of potentiometry. Examples include pH electrodes, ion-selective electrodes, and potentiometric titrations, each of which will be described in this section. In these techniques, a pair of electrodes are immersed, the potential (voltage) of one of the electrodes is measured relative to the other, and the concentration of an analyte in the solution into which the electrodes are dipped is determined. One of the immersed electrodes is called the indicator electrode and the other is called the reference electrode. Often, these two electrodes are housed together in one probe. Such a probe is called a combination electrode. 

A prerequisite for all etch-stop techniques discussed so far is an electrical connection to an external power supply. However, if the potential required for passivation in alkaline solutions is below 1 V, it can be generated by an internal galvanic cell, for example by a gold-silicon element [As4, Xil]. An internal galvanic cell can also be realized by a p-n junction illuminated in the etchant, as discussed in the next section. Internal cells eliminate the need for external contacts and make this technique suitable for simple batch fabrication. 

In this section, you learned how to identify the different components of a galvanic cell. Also, you found out how galvanic cells convert chemical energy into electrical energy. You were introduced to several common primary batteries that contain galvanic cells. In the next section, you will learn more about the cell potentials of galvanic cells. 

In this section, you learned that you can calculate cell potentials by using tables of half-cell potentials. The half-cell potential for a reduction half-reaction is called a reduction potential. The half-cell potential for an oxidation half-reaction is called an oxidation potential. Standard half-cell potentials are written as reduction potentials. The values of standard reduction potentials for half-reactions are relative to the reduction potential of the standard hydrogen electrode. You used standard reduction potentials to calculate standard cell potentials for galvanic cells. You learned two methods of calculating standard cell potentials. One method is to subtract the standard reduction potential of the anode from the standard reduction potential of the cathode. The other method is to add the standard reduction potential of the cathode and the standard oxidation potential of the anode. In the next section, you will learn about a different type of cell, called an electrolytic cell. 

In section 11.1, you learned about several primary (disposable) batteries that contain galvanic cells. One of the most common secondary (rechargeable) batteries is found in car engines. Most cars contain a lead-acid battery, shown in Figure 11.18. When you turn the ignition, a surge of electricity from the battery starts the motor. 

In this section, you learned about electrolytic cells, which convert electrical energy into chemical energy. You compared the spontaneous reactions in galvanic cells, which have positive cell potentials, with the non-spontaneous reactions in electrolytic cells, which have negative cell potentials. You then considered cells that act as both galvanic cells and electrolytic cells in some common rechargeable batteries. These batteries are an important application of electrochemistry. In the next two sections, you will learn about many more electrochemical applications. 

A solid state galvanic cell consists of electrodes and the electrolyte. Solid electrolytes are available for many different mobile ions (see Section 15.3). Their ionic conductivities compare with those of liquid electrolytes (see Fig. 15-8). Under load, galvanic cells transport a known amount of component from one electrode to the other. Therefore, we can predetermine the kinetic boundary condition for transport into a solid (i.e., the electrode). By using a reference electrode we can simultaneously determine the component activity. The combination of component transfer and potential determination is called coulometric titration. It is a most useful method for the thermodynamic and kinetic investigation of compounds with narrow homogeneity ranges. For example, it has been possible to measure in a... 

In this section, we describe time-resolved, local in-situ measurements of chemical potentials /, ( , f) with solid galvanic cells. It seems as if the possibilities of this method have not yet been fully exploited. We note that the spatial resolution of the determination of composition is by far better than that of the chemical potential. The high spatial resolution is achieved by electron microbeam analysis, analytical transmission electron microscopy, and tunneling electron microscopy. Little progress, however, has been made in improving the spatial resolution of the determination of chemical potentials. The conventional application of solid galvanic cells in kinetics is completely analogous to the time-dependent (partial) pressure determination as explained in Section 16.2.2. Spatially resolved measurements are not possible in this way. 

As pointed out in Section II.3.ii, the key principle of the galvanic cells relies on chemical asymmetry and a zero cr on in the electrolyte rendering possible the fact that there can be an electrochemical potential gradient, i.e., a nonzero cell voltage without having a current. 

Large Cathode and Small Anode. Such a situation is known to lead to an acceleration of corrosion of the anode. If a small section of iron or steel pipe is in contact with a large piece of copper pipe, the area effect will accelerate the corrosion of the iron pipe that acts as an anode of a galvanic cell. 

REDOX REACTIONS IN GALVANIC CELLS When discussing oxidation-reduction reactions we have not mentioned ways in which the directions of such reactions can be predicted. In other words, discussions in the previous chapters were aimed at understanding how oxidation-reduction reactions proceed, but there was no mention of why they take place. In this and the next few sections the problem will be dealt with in some detail. 

Although the law of mass action is equally valid for oxidation-reduction processes, and therefore conclusions as to the direction of reactions may be drawn from the knowledge of equilibrium constants, traditionally a different approach is used for such processes. This has both historical and practical reasons. As pointed out in the previous sections, in oxidation-reduction processes electrons are transferred from one species to another. This transfer may occur directly, i.e. one ion collides with another and during this the electron is passed on from one ion to the other. It is possible, however, to pass these electrons through electrodes and leads from one ion to the other. A suitable device in which this can be achieved is a galvanic cell, one of which is shown in Fig. 1.14. A galvanic cell consists of two half-cells, each made up of an electrode and an electrolyte. The two electrolytes are connected with a salt bridge and, if... 

Schenck et al. (1929) had earlier used the same technique but used CO/CO2 gas mixture for equilibration. They had reported moderate positive deviation from ideality, which was also confirmed by Swerdtfeger andMuan (1967). However, Engell (1962) reported a much higher positive deviation using the solid electrolyte galvanic cell technique, about which we would discuss in the next section. 

In voltaic cells, it is possible to carry out the oxidation and reduction halfreactions in different places when suitable provision is made for transporting the electrons over a wire from one half-reaction to the other and to transport ions from each half-reaction to the other in order to preserve electrical neutrality. The chemical reaction produces an electric current in the process. Voltaic cells, also called galvanic cells, are introduced in Section 17.1. The tendency for oxidizing agents and reducing agents to react with each other is measured by their standard cell potentials, presented in Section 17.2. In Section 17.3, the Nernst equation is introduced to allow calculation of potentials of cells that are not in their standard states. 

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