Lab 10 - Electrochemical Cells

Purpose

To see how changes in concentration and pH affect the potential in an electrochemical cell, and confirm the Nernst equation.

Goals

1
To examine how standard reduction potentials are measured.
2
To relate concentration changes to changes in cell potential.

Introduction

A galvanic cell is an electrochemical cell in which the spontaneous electrochemical reaction proceeds, that is, ΔG for the reaction is negative. The free energy decrease for a galvanic cell is proportional to the cell potential. The greater the driving force of the reaction, the greater the cell potential. The relationship is shown below:

( 1 )

ΔG = −nFE_cell

where n = the number of moles of electrons passed, F is the Faraday constant (9.65 × 10⁴ Coulombs/mole of electrons) and E_cell is the cell potential. E_cell is positive for spontaneous reactions; electrons flow toward the more positive potential. This causes some confusion, because free energy decreases (has a negative sign) for spontaneous processes. If you remember that electrons flow toward positive charges, it is easy to keep track of this. One can determine the standard potential of any electrochemical cell by:

1
Identifying the oxidation (anode) and reduction (cathode) half-cells.
2
Looking up the standard half-cell potentials in a table of reduction potentials. An abbreviated table is included at the end of this lab procedure. Reminder: all potentials are listed in the table as reduction potentials.
3
Substituting the half-cell potentials into the following equation:

( 2 )

E°_cell = E°_cathode - E°_anode

Standard potentials are determined at standard conditions (1 M solutions or 1 atm pressure). Although there is no standard temperature, the tables in this course are all at 25°C. Most often, cells are not at standard conditions, and they change as the reaction proceeds. Nernst proposed that a galvanic cell would spontaneously discharge (behave like a battery) until it reaches equilibrium. Stated in another fashion, a dead battery is one in which the free energy (ΔG) is zero. For this to occur, the overall potential of the cell must decrease as the concentration of reactants decreases. The Nernst equation relates the cell potential to concentrations of reactants via the reaction coefficient, Q.

( 3 )

E_cell = E°_cell -

ln Q

where R is the gas constant (8.314 J/(mol·K)), T is the temperature (K), and n, F and E_cell are as defined in equation 1 and E°_cell is the cell potential at standard conditions. Q is defined as the [products]^coeff / [reactants]^coeff. Similar to K, the equilibrium constant, Q only includes terms in the aqueous or gaseous state. An example redox reaction and the reaction quotient are given below:

2 Ag⁺(aq) + Mn(s) equilibrium arrow

2 Ag(s) + Mn²⁺(aq)

Q = [Mn²⁺] / [Ag⁺]²

At 25°C and converting to log base 10, the Nernst equation becomes:

( 4 )

E_cell = E°_cell -

0.0592

log Q

Using the Nernst equation, cell potentials can be calculated from standard cell potentials and known concentrations. According to the Nernst equation, any change to the cell that increases Q decreases E_cell, while any change that decreases Q will increase E_cell. Thus, adding reactant or removing product increases E_cell. Removing reactant or adding product, which is what the reaction is doing as it proceeds, decreases E_cell. The most general statement of the Nernst equation is that anything that makes ΔG more negative will increase E_cell. In this experiment, you will measure cell potentials using the Zn/Zn²⁺ half-cell as a reference. You will use the Nernst equation to predict the dependence of cell potential on the concentration of test solutions, and verify the predictions with measurements. In the last part of this experiment, you will measure the potential of a bioorganic half-cell and then predict and verify the dependence of cell potential on the pH with the Nernst equation. Redox reactions are ubiquitous in biological systems. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has been hailed as an "anti-oxidant", which simply means that it is a reducing agent. The ascorbic acid half reaction, written as a reduction, is shown below:

When ascorbic acid acts as a reducing agent, the reverse reaction occurs. Notice that H⁺ participates in the half-reaction. Therefore, the concentration of H⁺ (and thus the pH) will affect the reduction potential. The standard potential is defined where [H⁺] = 1 M, or at pH = 0. Clearly, potentials measured at biologically relevant pH's are not standard potentials. The dependence of the reduction potential on pH is complicated because ascorbic acid is a weak diprotic acid and is singly or doubly deprotonated depending on pH. K_a for the first dissociation is 5×10^-5. There may be one or two protons in the half reaction, which complicates the exact calculation of the potential shift. Nonetheless, the qualitative dependence of potential on pH can be predicted from the Nernst equation. At this point, it is worth mentioning a point about measuring potentials with a voltmeter, as you will be doing in this experiment. Most voltmeters are sensitive to the direction in which current flows, and register this as the sign of the potential. In this lab, all the reactions are spontaneous, so all the voltage measurements should have a positive sign. You will be instructed to set up your voltmeter so this is true in the first measurement, then reverse the leads and record the result, then explain what happened. Think about your response to this question now, before the lab. In this experiment, you will measure the potential difference between a Zn²⁺/Zn couple and Cu²⁺/Cu, Pb²⁺/Pb, and Ag⁺/Ag couples. You will vary the concentrations of the ions in solution and measure the changes in cell potential that occur. Finally, you will measure the potential of solutions of ascorbic acid versus a Cu²⁺/Cu couple at different pH's.

Equipment

1
MicroLab Interface
1
MicroLab Multi-EChem Half Cell module
1
voltmeter alligator clip leads
1
100 mL beaker
1
hand-held pH meter
1
deionized water squirt bottle
1
eye dropper

Reagents

~5 mL
0.1 M Zn(NO₃)₂
~7 mL
0.1 M Cu(NO₃)₂
~5 mL
0.1 M AgNO₃
~5 mL
0.1 M Pb(NO₃)₂
~20 mL
1 M KNO₃
~2"
zinc wire
~2"
copper wire
~2"
silver wire
~2"
lead wire
1
graphite rod
~3.0 mL
1.5 M KOH
solid Na₂HPO₄·7 H₂O
solid ascorbic acid
~20 drops
3.0 M HCl
~20 drops
3.0 M NaOH

Safety

3 M HCl solution gives off highly irritating vapors. Do not inhale them. Work with concentrated solutions under the hood so vapors do not build up in the lab. If you do inhale enough vapor to have a problem, move to fresh air. Have your lab partner notify your instructor about the accident. HCl, NaOH, and KOH solutions are corrosive. They can attack the skin and cause permanent damage to the eyes. If the solution splashes into your eyes, use the eyewash immediately. Hold your eyes open and flush with water. If contact with skin or clothing occurs, flush the affected area with water. Have your lab partner notify your instructor about the spill. Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Ag⁺ ions are listed as toxic. If contact with skin or clothing occurs, the affected area should immediately be flushed with water. If Ag⁺ solutions contact the skin, they will produce brown spots that appear about 24 hours after exposure. They are harmless and will fade in a few days.

Waste Disposal

The solutions from the experiment should be rinsed into the waste container for redox solutions. There will be a funnel in the container. Pour the contents of the half cell module into the funnel and then rinse the plastic base with water from a squeeze bottle. The metal wires should be returned to the set-up sheet to be used by the next lab section.

Prior to Class

Please read the following section of Lab Safety and Practices: Good Lab Practices Please complete WebAssign prelab assignment. Check your WebAssign Account for due dates. Students who do not complete the WebAssign prelab are required to bring and hand in the prelab worksheet.

Lab Procedure

Please print the worksheet for this lab. You will need this sheet to record your data.

Part A: Measurement of Initial Cell Potentials

To activate the MicroLab voltmeter, first ensure that the MicroLab interface is turned on, as indicated by a green light in the "o" of the MicroLab logo. Also ensure that the voltmeter lead with alligator clip attachments is plugged into the unit under the "voltage" input.

On the computer desktop, double-click on the MicroLab icon to open the software. A box will appear to choose an experiment. Highlight "Half-cell Meter" and click "OK." Make sure the voltage input is selected and click "OK." This will bring up the meter display of measured voltage.

Fill the center of the cell, shown in Figure 10-1, with fresh KNO₃ solution.

Fill the wells with the metal ion solutions and place the corresponding metal wire in the solution. well 1: Zn(NO₃)₂/Zn. The Zn wire is gray and difficult to bend. well 3: Cu(NO₃)₂/Cu. The Cu wire has a characteristic copper color. well 5: Pb(NO₃)₂/Pb. The Pb wire is dull gray and very bendable. well 7: AgNO₃/Ag. The Ag wire is shiny and silver in appearance.

Figure 10-1: MicroLab Multi-EChem Half Cell Module

Attach the black alligator clip lead to the zinc wire. Attach the red alligator clip to the silver wire. Read the voltage. Record the voltage in Data Table A.

Reverse the leads on the metal wires. Measure the voltage and enter it in Data Table A.

Return the black alligator clip to the zinc wire. Next, attach the red alligator clip to the lead wire and measure the voltage. Enter the value in Data Table A.

Finally, attach the red alligator clip to the copper wire and measure the voltage. Enter the value in Data Table A.

Part B: Dependence of Cell Potential on [Cu²⁺]

Combine an eyedropper full of 0.1 M Cu²⁺ solution with about 60 mL of deionized water in a 100 mL beaker.

Carefully pour a small portion of the dilute copper ion solution into well 4. Move the copper wire from well 3 to well 4.

Measure the potential of the diluted Cu²⁺ solution in well 4 versus the Zn²⁺/Zn couple in well 1 and record in Data Table B.

Add two eyedroppers full of 1.5 M KOH to the diluted Cu²⁺ solution in the 100 mL beaker, gently swirl the mixture, and observe the reaction.

Allow any solid that may have formed to settle to the bottom of the beaker. Then, carefully pour a small portion of the dilute and basic copper ion solution into well 2. Move the copper wire from well 4 to well 2. Measure the potential of the solution in well 2 versus the Zn²⁺/Zn couple well 1. Record this value in Data Table B.

Dispose of the remaining diluted Cu²⁺ solution contained in the 100 mL beaker into the waste container located on the side shelf. Rinse with deionized water from your squirt bottle and add the rinsings to the waste bottle.

Part C: pH Dependence of Cell Potential

Prepare 60 mL of a solution that is 0.10 M in ascorbic acid (C₆H₈O₆) and 0.10 M in sodium hydrogen phosphate (Na₂HPO₄ · 7 H₂O). You can weigh both solids into the 100 mL beaker and add 60 mL of deionized water to it afterwards. Gentle swirling should dissolve the solids quickly.

Using a hand-held pH meter, adjust the pH of the solution to pH 6.8 - 7.2 by adding 3 M HCl or 3 M NaOH dropwise. It should not take more than 20 drops of either.

Carefully pour a small portion of the ascorbic acid-pH 7 solution into well 6 of the half-cell module.

Place a graphite electrode in well 6. Place the copper wire into well 3.

Measure the voltage of the contents of well 6 relative to the Cu²⁺/Cu half cell in well 3. Make sure it is positive; if not, exchange the leads to the copper and graphite electrodes. Record the voltage and note which lead is connected to copper and which is connected to graphite in Data Table C.

Use a hand-held pH meter, and adjust the pH of the solution in the 100 mL beaker to pH 4.8 - 5.2. Use 3 M HCl added dropwise. It should not take more than 20 drops. 3 M NaOH is available if too much acid is added.

Carefully pour a small portion of the ascorbic acid - pH 5 solution into well 8 of the half-cell module. Also move the graphite electrode to well 8.

Measure the voltage of the contents of well 8 relative to the Cu²⁺/Cu half cell in well 3. Record the results in Data Table C.

When you are finished, remove the metal wires and graphite electrodes and rinse them with deionized water, allowing the rinse solution to drain into the 100 mL beaker. Carefully dry the electrodes and return them to their positions on the lab bench.

Dispose of the contents of the half-cell module and 100 mL beaker into the waste container in the hood. Rinse these containers with deionized water.

Refill the center cell of the half-cell module with KNO₃ solution.

Please close the MicroLab program and turn off your pH meter.

Before leaving, enter your results in the in-lab assignment. If all results are scored as correct, log out. If not all results are correct, try to find the error or consult with your lab instructor. When all results are correct, note them and log out of WebAssign. The in-lab assignment must be completed by the end of the lab period. If additional time is required, please consult with your lab instructor.