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Dept.

of Chemistry/PACE/Mangalore (22CHES12/22)

MODULE-3 CORROSION AND ELECTRODE SYSTEM


Corrosion chemistry
It is a common experience that most of the metals (except least reactive like ,Gold, platinum) are
slowly destructed on long exposure to atmosphere, such as ;
1. tarnishing of silver (formation of black coating of silver oxide)
2. rusting of iron (formation of reddish scale of hydrated ferric oxide)
3. Tarnishing of copper (formation of green coating of copper oxide) etc.
Definition:
It is the loss of the metal or destruction of material due to reaction with environment through
chemical or electrochemical reaction.
Ill effect
1) Contamination of product.
2) Damage of metallic equipments.
3) Inability to use metallic materials.
4) Lose of valuable materials such as blockage of pipes, leakage etc.
5) Accidents due to mechanical lose of metallic bridges, cars, aircrafts etc.
Global losses
1) Lose of efficiency
2) Plant shutdown & loss of production
3) Sudden failure of equipment due to corrosion can cause explosion, fire and release of toxic
product.
4) Due to escaping chemicals from a corroded equipment and pollution from corrosion
product may result in health problem.
Theory of electrochemical corrosion:
 According to this theory commonly corrosion of the metal takes place by electrochemical
reaction. i.e it involves the formation of an electrochemical cell, having anodic and cathodic
in the presence of conducting medium.
 If the corrosion involves single metal, anodic and cathodic regions are formed on the same
metal surface. If two different metals are involved, metal with low potential acts as anode
and metal with high potential acts as cathode.

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Dept. of Chemistry/PACE/Mangalore (22CHES12/22)

 Reaction at anodic region: At anode metal is oxidized to metal ion by liberating electrons.
Thus corrosion takes place at anodic region.
M → Mn+ + ne-
 During rusting of iron: At anode iron is oxidized to ferrous ion.
 Fe → Fe2+ +2e-
 The electrons from anodic region migrate towards cathodic region constituting corrosion
current.
 Reaction at cathodic region: At cathode, reduction takes place. The species in the medium
undergoes reduction by gaining electrons. Following types of reactions are possible
depending on the type of the medium:
I] In the absence of oxygen. : It occurs in the absence of oxygen. It is called Hydrogen evolution
type.
a) If the solution is acidic, hydrogen gas is evolved at cathode.
2H+ + 2e- → H2↑
b) If solution is neutral or basic,
2H2O + 2e- → 2OH- + H2↑
II] In the presence of oxygen. : This takes place in the presence of oxygen. It is called Oxygen
absorption type.
1) If the solution is acidic, water is formed.
4H ++ O2 + 4e- → 2H2O
2) If solution is neutral or basic or neutral, hydroxide ions are formed.
H2O + 1/2 O2 + 2e- → 2 OH-
The species formed at anode and cathode combine to give corrosion product.
The OH- ions formed at cathode and Fe2+ ions formed at anode reacts to give ferrous hydroxide.
Fe2+ + 2 OH- → Fe (OH)2
In the presence of sufficient oxygen it is oxidized to hydrated ferric oxide, which is nothing but
rust.
2 Fe (OH)2 +1/2 O2+2 H2O → Fe2O3. 3H2O

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Dept. of Chemistry/PACE/Mangalore (22CHES12/22)

TYPES OF CORROSION
Differential Metal Corrosion (Galvanic Corrosion / Bimetallic Corrosion)
 This occurs when two dissimilar metals are in contact with each other in corrosive medium.
 The difference in the electrode potential of two metals is the driving force for corrosion.
 Due to this difference in electrode potential a galvanic cell is formed.
 The more active metal i.e metal with lower electrode potential acts as anode hence undergoes
corrosion. (e.g metals like Zn, Mg ) The less active metal with higher electrode potential acts as
cathode and is free from corrosion.
 Higher the difference in the potential of metals higher is the rate of galvanic corrosion.
 e.g. When iron is connected with zinc, zinc undergoes corrosion, as it has low electrode potential
than iron.

Zn

corrosion
whereas when iron is connected with copper iron undergoes corrosion as it has low electrode
potential than copper.
.

Corrosion

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Dept. of Chemistry/PACE/Mangalore (22CHES12/22)

Differential Aeration (oxygen) Corrosion:


 This type of corrosion occurs when one part of the metal is exposed to higher concentration of
oxygen and other part of the same metal is exposed to lower concentration of oxygen.
 The difference in the concentration of oxygen is the driving force for corrosion.
 This constitutes oxygen concentration cell, in which less oxygenated part acts as anode hence
undergoes corrosion and more oxygenated part acts as cathode hence it is un attacked.
 e.g. 1. In partially buried pipeline, the area below the soil is less oxygenated acts as anode hence
undergoes corrosion, where as exposed region is more oxygenated is free from corrosion as it
acts as cathode.
 E.g.2. In sailing ship, area above water is more oxygenated, acts as cathode. Area below water
is less oxygenated, acts as anode. Therefore area below Water is corroded and area above water
is protected.

Partially buried pipeline ocean going ship


Waterline Corrosion
 It is a case of differential aeration corrosion, observed when metallic object is partially in
water.
 Portion of the metal in water is less oxygenated, where as portion of a metal above water is
more oxygenated. T

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Dept. of Chemistry/PACE/Mangalore (22CHES12/22)

 This takes place due to the formation of oxygen concentration cell. Less oxygenated portion acts
as anode acts as anode and undergoes corrosion while more oxygenated portion acts as cathode
and is not corroded.
 e. g When water is stored in a metallic tank , floating ship water line corrosion is observed. It is
observed that corrosion takes place along the line just below the level of water in the container
or ship. The area above water is more oxygenated , acts as cathode. Area below water is less
oxygenated, acts as anode. Therefore area below Water is corroded and area above water is
protected. Hence a distinct brown line is formed below the water line due to corrosion.

Water storage tank Ocean going ship

CORROSION CONTROL:
Corrosion can be controlled by preventing the formation of galvanic cell.
There are various ways by which corrosion can be controlled. They are,
1. Protective coatings:
A ).Metallic coatings:
In this method protective metal is coated on the surface of the metal which can be done by
electroplating, flame spray, hot dipping etc.
Galvanisation:
It is the process of anodic coating in which base metal like iron / steel is coated with zinc.
Since zinc has low electrode potential it acts as anode and base metal iron acts as cathode.
Zinc coating being anode undergoes corrosion preventing corrosion of iron.
Process of galvanization consists of following steps:

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Dept. of Chemistry/PACE/Mangalore (22CHES12/22)

1) Articles to be galvanized are dipped in organic solvent to remove dust or grease.


2) Then dipped in dilute sulphuric acid to remove basic impurity like rust and washed with
water.
3) Then dipped in a solution containing mixture of zinc chloride and ammonium chloride which
acts as flux to have strong coating.
4) Then dipped in molten zinc at 430◦C
5) Excess of zinc is removed by rolling over rollers.
Application: used in the manufacture of nuts, bolts, nails ,buckets , fencing wire, roofing sheets
etc.
Advantages: Base metal will not get corroded even if coating peels off at some place. As far as
coating metal is present base metal being cathode will not be corroded even on its exposure.
Disadvantages: Galvanises articles cannot be used for storing food stuffs, since zinc dissolves in
dilute acids forming toxic compounds of zinc.
B ). Inorganic coating
In this protective coating of inorganic metal oxide or metal phosphates are formed on the surface
by chemical or electrochemical reaction.
This inorganic coating being protective prevents the metal from corrosion.
Anodised oxide coatings /Anodisation :
1. In this base metal is made anode and made to develop protective metal oxide coating by
dipping in oxidizing medium.
2. This method is used for nonferrous metals like Al, Zn , Mg.
3. It carried by making base metal anode and inert metal like lead is made cathode.

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Dept. of Chemistry/PACE/Mangalore (22CHES12/22)

4. The electrolytic bath contains an oxidizing medium like sulphuric acid ,phosphoric acid,
chromic acid, oxalic acid or boric acid.
5. Sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, chromic acid & oxalic acid results in porous anodized
coating where as Boric acid is preferred for non porous anodized coating.
6. On passing current the oxide film of sufficient thickness is formed on the base metal. These
oxide coatings act as barrier between base metal and corrosive medium thus prevents the
corrosion.
2Al+ 3H2O Al2O3 + 3H2
7. Anodising offers increased corrosion resistance and attractive finish to the surface.
8. Anodised aluminium is used in hardware, escalators, window frames etc.

2. Cathodic protection:
It is a technique of protecting a metal from corrosion by converting it to cathode. Being cathode
base metal is prevented from corrosion. Base metal can be made cathode by sacrificial anodic
method
Sacrificial Anodic Method
In this method, metal to be protected is converted into cathode using sacrificial anodes.
It is done by connecting base metal with another metal having lower electrode potential..
Thus base metal becomes cathode and metal with low potential acts as anode.
Anode being more reactive undergoes corrosion, where as the base metallic structure is
unaffected.
Since anode is sacrificed to prevent the corrosion of anode, It is called sacrificial anode method. e.g

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Dept. of Chemistry/PACE/Mangalore (22CHES12/22)

1) A magnesium block connected buried oil storage tank acts as sacrificial anode, and prevents the
tank from corrosion.
2) When Magnesium blocks are connected to the sides of the ship, it acts as anode, prevents ship
from corrosion.
3) Magnesium blocks connected to buried pipelines prevents structure from corrosion , by acting
as anode.

Corrosion pentration rate (CPR)

The speed at which any metal in a specific environment deteriorates due to a chemical reaction
when it is exposed to a corrosive environment.CPR is given by
K W
CPR =
DA T

Where k=a constant


W= total weight loss
D= the metal density in g/cm3
A= area of the exposed metal

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Dept. of Chemistry/PACE/Mangalore (22CHES12/22)

T- time taken for loss of metal


Units of CPR:
CPR can be calculated in two units: mils per year (mpy) and mm per year(mmpy)
Numerical problem refer class notes
ELECTRODE SYSTEM
Electrochemical cell: An electrochemical cell is a device which converts chemical energy into
electrical energy or electrical energy into chemical energy. They are made up of two electrodes
(anode and cathode), which are in contact with an electrolyte. There are two types;
1. Galvanic cell or voltaic cell:
1) It converts chemical energy into electrical energy.
2) In galvanic cell current is generated due to the chemical reactions in the cell.
3) Reactions in galvanic cell are spontaneous.
Eg: Daniel cell (It is made up of Zn (anode) and Copper (cathode).
2. Electrolytic cell:
1) It converts electrical energy into chemical energy.
2) In electrolytic cell is chemical is obtained by passing current. i.e, due to electrolysis.
3) Reactions in electrolytic cell are non-spontaneous.
Eg: Nelson’s cell.
Single electrode potential :( E)
It is the potential developed when the metal is in equilibrium with its salt solution.
Standard electrode potential: (E°)
It is the potential developed when the metal is in equilibrium with it’s salt solution of
concentration 1M at 298K.
Types of electrodes:
1. Metal-metal ion electrode: metal is in contact with its ionic solution. eg: Zn/Zn+2
2. Metal-insoluble salt electrode: metal is in contact with solution containing the anion of the salt
e.g Calomel electrode, Silver-silver chloride
3. Gas electrode: where a gas is in contact with an inert metal dipped in ionic solution of the gas
molecules e.g hydrogen electrode
4. Ion selective electrode: where membrane is in contact with an ionic solution e.g glas electrode
Reference Electrodes:

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Dept. of Chemistry/PACE/Mangalore (22CHES12/22)

These are the electrodes whose potentials are known and are used for the determination of the
potentials of other electrodes can be measured. They are classified in to primary and secondary
reference electrodes
1. Primary reference electrode; it is Standard hydrogen electrode, whose potential is arbitrarily
taken as zero. The potentials of other electrodes are assigned with respect to it. e.g SHE(standard
hydrogen electrode)
2. Secondary reference electrode: Because of the difficulties involved in the use of standard
hydrogen electrode as reference electrode, some other electrodes with constant electrode potential
are used to find the potentials of other electrodes. The potential of secondary reference electrode
is constant which is determined with reference to Standard hydrogen electrode. e.g Calomel
electrode, Silver-silver chloride electrode.
Construction and working of Calomel electrode (mercury- mercurous chloride electrode)
Construction:

It is a metal-metal insoluble salt electrode in which mercury is in contact with mercurous chloride
in potassium chloride solution.
Construction:
1. It consists of a glass tube, bottom of which small amount of mercury is placed.
2. It is covered with a paste of mercury and mercurous chloride (calomel)
3. Remaining portion of the tube is filled by solution of potassium chloride
(saturated/1M/0.1M) through side tube (acts as salt bridge).
4. A platinum wire fused to glass tube is dipped in mercury to have electric contact.
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Dept. of Chemistry/PACE/Mangalore (22CHES12/22)

Electrode is represented as
Hg| Hg2Cl2| Cl-
(l) (s) (aq)
working:
1. The test electrode (e.g., Zn2+/Zn) is coupled with a calomel electrode.
2. The emf of cell is measured using volt meter.
3. The potential of a calomel electrode remains constant for a given concentration of KCl.
Hence using the formula Ecell= ECathode-Eanode , Potential of test electrode can be
determined
Calomel electrode can act as cathode or anode depending on the nature of electrode.
When it acts as anode;
2 Hg → Hg22+ + 2e-

Hg22+ + 2Cl- → Hg2Cl2

2Hg +2Cl- → Hg2Cl2 +2e-

When acts as cathode:


Hg2Cl2 → Hg22+ + Cl-

Hg22+ 2e- →2 Hg

Hg2Cl2+2e-→2 Hg+2Cl-

The net reversible electrode reaction is

Hg Cl + 2e- 2Hg + 2Cl-


2 2
or
- -
1/2 Hg2Cl2 + e Hg(l) + Cl

Electrode potential Ecal = E0cal – 2.303 RT log [Cl-]


nF
Where, n=1., At 298K, Ecal = E0cal – 0.0591 log [Cl-9]
Since the calomel electrode is reversible with respect to chloride ion its electrode potential
depends on the concentration of KCl solution (conc. Of Cl-)
At 298K, the electrode potentials as follows.

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Dept. of Chemistry/PACE/Mangalore (22CHES12/22)

KCl concentration 0.1N 1N Saturated


Electrode potential (V) 0.334 0.281 0.2422

Application of calomel electrode


It is used as secondary reference electrode in the measurement of single elctrode potential.
It used as reference electrode in all potentiometric determination.
Ion-selective electrodes:
Ion-selective electrode is made up of a membrane which selectively responds to a specific ion in a
mixture and potential developed at the electrode is a function of concentration of that ion in the
solution. The membrane is capable of exchanging the specific ions with the solution with which it
is in contact. Therefore these electrodes are also referred to as membrane electrodes e.g. Glass
electrode
Membrane

Reference Solution to be Internal stnadard Reference


electrode 1 analysed [Mn+] = C1 solution [Mn+] = C1 electrode 2

External reference electrode Ion selective electrode

Construction and working of glass electrode:


It is a H+ ion selective electrode used for the determination of pH.
Construction:
1. It consists of a glass tube having glass bulb made up of a special type of glass with high
electrical conductance and selective towards H+ ions.
2. The glass bulb is filled with a solution of hydrochloric acid (0.1M HCl) and is inserted with a
silver-silver chloride electrode which is the internal reference electrode and also serves for
external electric contact.
3. The electrode is represented as
Ag|AgCl (s)| 0.1M HCl | glass membrane

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Dept. of Chemistry/PACE/Mangalore (22CHES12/22)

Working:

When the glass electrode is dipped in a test solution the Na+ ions of the glass membrane are
exchanged for H+ ions of the test solution.
The boundary potential Eb is developed across the glass membrane which is due to the differences
in H+ ion concentration inside and outside the glass bulb.
i.e Eb = E1-E2
Eb= 0.0591 log C1 - 0.0591 log C2
where C1 is the concentration of the H+ ions into which the glass electrode is dipped. C2 is the
concentration inside the glass bulb which is a constant
Eb= constant+0.0591 log C1
Eb= constant + 0.0591 log [H+]
Eb= K-0.0591 pH (Since, pH= -log[H+] )
But potential of glass electrode EG has three components. They are:

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Dept. of Chemistry/PACE/Mangalore (22CHES12/22)

i) Boundary potential-Eb
ii) Potential of Ag-AgCl electrode-EAg-AgCl
iii) Small asymmetric potential-Easy
Hence, EG= Eb +EAg|AgCl + Easy
Where Easy is small asymmetric potential due to difference in the response of inner and outer
surface of the glass tube to changes in H+ ion concentration.
EG = K-0.0591 pH +E Ag|AgCl + Easy (Since, Eb= K-0.0591 pH)

Since K, E Ag|AgCl and Eassy are constant for a particular glass material,

EG = EG◦- 0.0591 pH (EG◦= K+ E Ag|AgCl

Determination of pH using Glass electrode:

1. The glass electrode is dipped in solution of unknown pH.


2. It is coupled with standard calomel electrode which acts as outer reference electrode.
3. The emf of the cell is calculated using volt meter.
Ecell = EG - Ecal
= [EG0 - 0.0591 pH] - Ecal (Since EGlass = EG0-0.0591 pH)
Therefore, pH = EG0 -Ecell - Ecal
0.0591

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Dept. of Chemistry/PACE/Mangalore (22CHES12/22)

EG0 is calculated by dipping glass electrode in solution of known pH.and by calculating the emf by
coupling with calomel electrode
Applications:
Ion selective electrodes are used in determining
(i) The concentration of a number of cations such as H+ , Li+, Na+, K+, Ag+, NH4+, Cd2+, Pb2+,
Cu2+, Ca2+ and hardness [Ca2+ + Mg2+].
(ii) The concentration of anions such as F-, NO3-, CN-, S2- and halide ions.
(iii) The pH of a solution using glass electrode (H+ ion-selective electrode)
(iv) The concentration of gas using gas sensing electrodes. For example, an electrode which
measures the level of CO2 in blood samples makes use of glass electrode in contact with
a very thin CO2 permeable silicone rubber membrane soaked in a dilute solution of
sodium bicarbonate.

Concentration cells:
A concentration cell is an electrochemical cell in which both the anode and cathode are made up of
same element in contact with solutions of the same electrolyte, but of different concentrations.
e.g Cu |Cu2+|| Cu2+|Cu
(C1) (C2)
where c1 and c2 are molar concentrations of electrolytes present.
Expression for EMF of concentration cell:
Consider a copper concentration cell, made up of copper electrodes dipped in copper sulphate
(electrolyte) solutions of concentrations C1 (lower) and C2 (higher). The Cu electrode which is in
contact with lower concentration (C1) of the electrolyte acts as anode where oxidation occurs and
dissolution occurs. The Cu electrode which is in contact with higher concentration (C2) of the
electrolyte acts as cathode where reduction occurs and deposition of Cu occurs. The emf so
developed is due to the mere transference of metal ions from the solution of higher concentration
(C2) to the solution of lower concentration (C1).
Reactions:
At anode Cu → Cu2+ +2e-
(C1)
At cathode Cu2+ +2e- → Cu
(C2)
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Dept. of Chemistry/PACE/Mangalore (22CHES12/22)

--------------------------
Cell reaction : Cu2+ Cu2+
(C2) (C1)
-------------------------

Emf of the above cell is calculated as ,


Ecell = Erhs-Elhs
Ecell = Ecathode-Eanode
Ecell = [E0 + 2.303RT log C2 ] - [E0 +2.303RT log C1 ]
nF nF

Ecell = 2.303 RT log [C2 ] -------------------- (1)


nF [C1]
[ R is gas constant = 8.314 J mol−1 K−1 F is Faraday =9.649 x 104 C mol electrons−1 ]

At 298K, Ecell = 0.0591 log [C2] ---------------- (2)


n [C1]
when two solutions are of same concentration i.e C1=C2 , ECu=0 . So no current flows.
When C2 > C1 then log C2/C1 is positive so that higher is the value of e.m.f.

Analytical technique
Conductometry:

principle
Conductometric estimation is based on “ohm’s law”. Ohm’s law states that the current “ I” flowing
through a conductor is directly proportional to the applied potential “E “ and inversely

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Dept. of Chemistry/PACE/Mangalore (22CHES12/22)

proportional to the resistance R of the conductor.

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Dept. of Chemistry/PACE/Mangalore (22CHES12/22)

I = E
R

Reciprocal of resistance is called conductance (C). Resistance of a homogenous material of uniform


cross section with an area “ a” sq.cm and length “ l “ cm is given by
R =ρ X ( l )
a

S is specific resistance (resistivity). The reciprocal of specific resistance is termed as specific


conductance K (conductivity)
K= 1
ρ

K= 1 ( l )
R a

K= C ( l )
a

If l = 1cm and a= 1cm2 then K=C.


Conductivity K therefore can be considered as the conductance of the 1cm 3 of the conductor or
1cm3 of electrolyte solution. Therefore specific conductance of an electrolyte solution is the
conductance of the solution present between 2 parallel electrode of 1cm2 area of cross section and
1cm apart.
Instrumentation:
Simple arrangement of conductometric titration is shown in fig. it consist of 2 platinum electrode
each of unit area of cross section placed unit distance apart. The electrode is dipped in the
electrolyte solution taken in beaker. It is connected to conductance measuring device. The titrant
is added from a burette and solution is stirred with stirrer. The conductance is measured after the
addition of the titrant at intervals of 1ml.The graph of conductance is plotted verses volume of the
titrant added. From the graph end point of the titration is obtained.

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Dept. of Chemistry/PACE/Mangalore (22CHES12/22)

Application in the estimation of weak acid


Theory:
Consider the titration of CH 3COOH against NaOH
CH 3COO H + Na OH CH 3COO Na + H2O
Conductance of the acid will be initially low since acetic acid is weak electrolyte when NaOH is
added to the weak acid, sodium acetate is formed which is strong electrolyte and hence highly
ionized. Thus conductance increases till all the acid is neutralized. On complete neutralization of
the acid, further addition of NaOH leads to increase concentration of mobile OH- ions. Hence
conductance increases sharply. The plot of conductivity Vs volume of NaOH produces two straight
lines intersecting at the equivalence point.

Conductance

Neutralization point

Volume of NaOH

Procedure: Pipette out 50 cm3 of given weak acid into a beaker. The conductivity cell is dipped in
the in beaker containing weak acid. Conductivity cell connected to conductance measuring
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Dept. of Chemistry/PACE/Mangalore (22CHES12/22)

device. Initial conductance is measured. Add 0.5 cm3 NaOH from a burette and solution is stirred
with stirrer. The conductance is measured after the addition of theNaOH at intervals of 0.5cm3
.The graph of conductance is plotted verses volume of NaOH added. From the graph end point of
the titration is obtained.
Calculation:
Normality of NaOH= N
Volume of NaOH required for neutralisation=V cm3

(N X V)NaOH
Normality of CH3COOH NCH3COOH =
50

Therefore Weight of acetic acid= ( N x Eq. Wt )CH3COOH

= x60 g
POTENTIOMETRY:
Potentiometry is an instrumental methods of analysis used to determine the concentration of
substance in a solution by measuring the potential difference between two electrode dipped in the
solution and combined to form a galvanic cell”. Then potential is given by Nernst equation
0.0591 oXidised form
E =Eo+ log [ ]
n Reduced form

E˚ is the standard potential of the system. The potential is controlled by the ratio of concentration
of oxidised form to that of reduced species present. As the reaction proceeds ration of the species
changes hence potential changes more rapidly near vicinity of the end point.
Instrumentation:
Potentiometer consists of a reference electrode, an indicator electrode, and a device for measuring
the potential. Calomel electrode is used as reference electrode and Pt electrode is used as indicator
electrode. Change in potential due to change in concentration during titration is detected by
indicator electrode. A known volume of the solution is taken in a beaker and its potential is
determined by connecting the calomel electrode and Pt electrode to a potentiometer. The titrant is
added in increment of 0.5 ml and the potential is measured each time. Close to the equivalence
point there is a sharp increase in the potential. A few reading are taken beyond the end point.
Equivalence point can be located by plotting ΔE /ΔV against volume of the titrant added. A simple
arrangement of potentiometric titration is as shown in fig.

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Dept. of Chemistry/PACE/Mangalore (22CHES12/22)

ΔE
ΔV

Volume of titrant added

Application in estimation of iron


Theory:
Titration of Mohr’s salt solution Vs K2Cr2O7 solution.
Calomel electrode is used as the reference electrode and platinum electrode is used as indicator
electrode. The reaction takes place when potassium dichromate added to FAS is
3Fe+2 + Cr+6 3Fe+3 + Cr+3
The prior to the equivalence point the potential is determined by Fe+3/ Fe+2 systems. The
potential is given by (Where E˚=0.75)
E = E0 + 0.0591 log [ Fe+3]
1 [Fe+2]

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Dept. of Chemistry/PACE/Mangalore (22CHES12/22)

Beyond the equivalence point all the Fe+2 ions are converted to Fe+3 ions, potential are
determined by Cr+6/ Cr+3system. The potential is given by (Where E˚=1.33)
E = E0 + 0.0591 log [ Cr+6]
6 [Cr+3]
This redox electrode has a much larger potential than the previous redox electrode. Therefore
equivalence point of the titration there is a steep rise in emf which helps to locate equivalence point
in titration.
Procedure:
Pipette out 25 cm3 of FAS solution is taken in a beaker add 2 test of dil H2SO4 and its potential is
measured by connecting the calomel electrode and Pt electrode to a potentiometer. Then add 0.5
cm3 K2Cr2O7 and then record the potential. Continue the addition of 0.5 cm 3 K2Cr2O7 each time and
then record the potential. Close to the equivalence point there is a sharp increase in the potential.
A few reading are taken beyond the end point. Equivalence point can be located by plotting ΔE /ΔV
against volume of the titrant added. A simple arrangement of potentiometric titration is as shown
in fig

ΔE
ΔV

V
Volume of K2Cr2O7

Calculation:
Normality of K2Cr2O7 = N
Volume of K2Cr2O7 required =V cm3
(N X V) K2Cr2O7
Normality of FAS NFAS =
25
Therefore Weight of FAS per liter = (N x Eq. Wt )FAS

= x392
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Dept. of Chemistry/PACE/Mangalore (22CHES12/22)

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS:

1. Define metallic corrosion? Describe the electrochemical theory of corrosion taking iron as an
example.
2. What are metallic coatings? Write a note on galvanization.
3. What is cathodic protection? How a metal is cathodically protected by sacrificial anodic
method.
4. What are anodizing? Explain the process of anodizing?
5. Explain: (i) Differential metal corrosion (ii) Water-line corrosion iii) Differential aeration
corrosion
6. Describe galvanizing and mention its applications
7. Discuss sacrificial anode method of corrosion control.
8. What is CPR? A thick brass sheet of area 400 inch 2 is exposed to moist air. After 2 years of
period, it was found to experience a weight loss 375 g due to corrosion. If the density of brass
is 8.73 g/cm3. Calculate CPR in mpy and mmpy
9. What is reference electrode? Explain the construction and working of Calomel electrode
10. What is ion selective electrode? Explain the construction and working of ion selective electrode
electrode
11. What are concentration cell? The cell potential of copper concentration cell Cu/CuSO4(0.005 M)//
CuSO4(X M) /Cu is 0.0295 V at 25˚C calculate the value of X
12. Explain the application of conductometry is estimation of weak acid
13. Explain the application of potentiometer is estimation of iron
14. Explain the theory and instrumentation conductometry
15. Explain the theory and instrumentation potentiometry

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