Electrochemical Cells

In an electrochemical experiment, the sample, or working electrode, is mounted in a cell. The cell also contains a reference electrode and a counter electrode. It may also contain provision for deaeration and stirring, or you may want to use a rotating electrode for very precise mass transport. It may also have a port for a thermometer, especially if it is temperature-controlled.

The working electrode may be the electroactive sample of interest. This is usually the case in corrosion studies, sensor development, and battery development. If you're studying the electrochemistry of a solution species, then the working electrode is likely to be an inert material such as platinum, gold, or glassy carbon.

In any event, you need a cell to present your sample to the Potentiostat. You can buy a cell from Gamry or from other sources. Cells are rarely, if ever, designed to work with a specific potentiostat. That means that a cell manufactured by Gamry will work on other potentiostats. If you're a Gamry user and you want to use a cell that is not manufactured by Gamry, it will work just fine.

Gamry provides a wide range of electrochemical cells, shown below.

PTC1 Paint Test Cell		Dr. Bob's Cell
CCK Corrosion Cell Kit		EuroCell
Rotating Electrodes		Flexcell