Electrodes

The Dimension General Purpose Electrochemistry Cell base is used to connect the sample (working electrode) to the Potentiostat. If the sample is not conductive through its thickness, gold-plated pogo pins, shown in Figure 1, connect it to the cell base. Alternatively, you may use a BeCu spring (provided) to contact the top surface of the sample. See Figure 2.

Platinum and Silver wires, 0.010" diameter, are provided to use for the counter and reference electrodes respectively. These wire electrodes are intended to be punched, using a tungsten needle (supplied), through the upper O-ring. See Figure 3. Having assembled the cell, slightly loosen the retaining screws adjacent to the PVDF insulator. Push the tungsten needle in the PVDF channel through the O-ring and remove it. Then do the same with the electrode wire. Cutting the electrode wire at an angle to form a sharp tip helps. You may need to wiggle the wire so that it goes into the O-ring hole. O-rings should be replaced after they have been punched. Refer to Consumables for O-ring replacement information.

You may punch electrodes with diameters up to 0.010" through the upper O-ring. Electrodes 0.005" or less in diameter may also be placed under the top O-ring. To maintain a proper seal, the electrode wires should be run through the machined groves in the PVDF insulator as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 1: Pogo pins connect the sample (working electrode), a platinum counter electrode and a silver reference electrode exit the cell through a groove in the PVDF insulator in the General Purpose Electrochemical Cell, shown with the glass cover removed.

Figure 2: Beryllium-copper spring contacts the sample.

Figure 3: PVDF insulator with counter electrode inserted through the upper O-ring.

You may place foil electrodes under the glass cover, shown in Figure 4, and contact the electrode by punching a wire (nickel is recommended for lithium battery applications) through the upper O-ring.

Figure 4: Foil counter and reference electrodes

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