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Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Simple Methods for the Preparation of Non-noble Metal Bulk-electrodes for Electrocatalytic Applications
Published on: June 21, 2017
A study of electrodes used in controlled-potential electrolysis of metal ions
1Shanghai Research Institute of Materials, SCMI, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Various electrodes used in controlled-potential electrolysis of metal ions are discussed: (1) a double-junction saturated calomel reference electrode with sodium formate as bridge electrolyte; (2) an auxiliary electrode made by winding platinum wire on a Teflon cylinder; (3) a working electrode made of tantalum gauze. The advantages of the tantalum electrode over a platinum electrode are that the hydrogen overpotential is higher, and the tantalum electrode need not be precoated with copper before deposition of metals such as Bi, Zn and Sn, which tend to form alloys with platinum. The electrode needs pretreatment before use, but this takes only 4 min or less.
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