Mercury coulometer

Mercury coulometer is an electroanalytical chemistry device using mercury to determine the amount of matter transformed (in coulombs) during the following reaction:

Hg²⁺ + 2e^– = Hg^o[1]

These oxidation/reduction processes have 100% efficiency with the wide range of the current densities. Measuring of the quantity of electricity (coulombs) is based on the changes of the mass of the mercury electrode. Mass of the electrode can be increased during cathodic deposition of the mercury ions or decreased during the anodic dissolution of the metal.

$Q = \frac{ \Delta\ m*2*F}{M}$,

where

Q-quantity of electricity (coulombs);

$\Delta\ m$-mass changes (gr);

F-Faraday constant (96485 Coulomb.Mol^{– 1}) and

M the molar mass of mercury: (200.59 gr.Mol^{– 1});

Construction

Principle scheme of the mercury coulometer. Click here to zoom

This coulometer has different constructions but all of them are based on mass measurements. One of the most significant construction is shown on the picture. It consists of two reservoirs connected by a thin graduated capillary. All system contains solution of the mercury(II)-ions solution. Each of the reservoirs have an electrode immersed into a drop of mercury. Another small drop of mercury is inserted into the capillary. When the current is turned on, it will initiate dissolution of the metallic mercury on the one side of the drop in the capillary and deposition on the other side of the same drop. This drop starts to move. Because of the 100% efficiency of the deposition/dissolution of the mercury under the current influence, mass or volume of this small drop will be a constant and its movement will be linearly correlated with the passed charge. If you change direction of the current, the drop starts move in opposite direction. Sensitivity of this type of coulometers depends on the diameter of the capillary.

Notes and See also

• Copper coulometer
• Coulometry

1. ^ Although the indication of the zero charge of the metal is not needed, in discussing situations with charged AND uncharged particles, it clearly indicates the charge is not "forgotten".