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Electrode Connections: CorrosionSample Masking 

 

 

  14 

 

 

The ParaCell is designed for use with flat samples that are conductive through the sample

from the solution 

interface to the back wall, in contact with the leveling sample bracket. When this is the case, the banana jacks 
in the brackets can be used for electrical connection to the potentiostat. The colors are coded for Gamry 
potentiostats, with the working side having green and blue banana jacks, and counter side having red and 
orange, but the coloring is only a visual aid; the cell can be connected in other manners.   

You may use flat samples that are not conductive through to the back side, but you must find an alternate 
method for electrical connection. 

Sample Masking 

While the opening sealed with the included O-ring does define an electroactive area, in many cases we advise 
to mask off a somewhat smaller area on the sample surface. When sealed to a flat sample with an O-ring or 
gasket, a crevice region is formed. This area will have unusually high activity for corrosion and also affect 
physical electrochemistry experiments.   

Masking minimizes crevice effects that can skew results. Masking an electrode can be done in different ways. 
PortHole sample masks are available from Gamry Instruments to provide a fixed, known area. It is not necessary 
to mask the counter electrode in three-electrode potentiostatic/galvanostatic experiments. If you are doing 
galvanic corrosion, then both metal samples should be masked in the same way. When masking, make sure the 
revealed area is centered in the hole when mounting the electrode.   

Electrode Connections: Corrosion 

If you are using your ParaCell with a Gamry Instruments potentiostat, make the following connections to the 
electrodes:   

The Reference Electrode lead plugs into the white pin jack on the cell cable.   

The green, blue, red and orange leads are plugged into their respective colored jacks (when using through-
conductive samples set up with the working electrode on the green/blue side). For most experiments, the 
counter sense lead

 

(orange) is not necessary, but it is nice to have some place to put it. Some potentiostats do 

not have a separate work sense lead.

 

While this does give less-accurate voltage measurement and control, it 

does not affect the use of this cell. You just have only one lead to attach to the working electrode side. 

Make sure that the black lead on the cell cable cannot touch any other cell connection, or other metal of the 
cell body/sample(s). Connecting this lead to a source of earth ground, such as a water pipe, may reduce noise in 
your experimental results. If you are measuring very small currents, a metal enclosure completely surrounding 
your cell may further reduce noise. In this case, connect the shield, known as a Faraday cage, to the 

potentiostat’s ground lead and 

perhaps also to earth ground. The ParaCell works with 

Gamry’s VistaShield™

 

Faraday cage, which allows you to see the cell without breaking the shielding. 

 

 Always double-check your cell connections. Even an experienced experimenter will 

occasionally leave one of the cell cable leads lying on the desktop. 

Summary of Contents for ParaCell

Page 1: ...i ParaCell Electrochemical Cell Kit Operator s Manual...

Page 2: ...i...

Page 3: ...y obligation to install same on systems previously purchased All product specifications are subject to change without notice There are no warranties which extend beyond the description herein This war...

Page 4: ...Optional parts may be available from Gamry Instruments or from third party vendors Contact your local Gamry sales representative to discuss any special requirements or accessories that you need Discl...

Page 5: ...Copyrights and Trademarks 1 ParaCell Operator s Manual Copyright 2017 Gamry Instruments Inc Revision 1 41 November 30 2017 988 00017...

Page 6: ...Copyrights and Trademarks 2...

Page 7: ...tic Stirrer 10 Bridge Tube and Reference Electrode 10 Counter Electrode 11 Gas flow Overview and Terminology 11 Pre saturation of the Purge Gas 12 Gas Dispersion Apparatus 12 Attaching Gas Tubing to t...

Page 8: ...mplement its required functions You can customize the cell by rearranging some of Gamry s standard fittings or making or buying additional fittings electrodes sensors or adapters A reference electrode...

Page 9: ...so you can use nylon s properties which are generally available as an indication of these fitting s suitability for use in any specific chemical environment Gamry s Paracell was not designed for use...

Page 10: ...heck the glass pieces for chipping and small cracks as well as for major damage If any parts were broken in shipment please contact our US facility or your local Gamry representative as soon as possib...

Page 11: ...Cell 2 820 00053 End Plates polycarbonate A 2 820 00054 Foot Bracket stainless steel B 1 820 00055 Cell Body polycarbonate C 2 820 00056 Sample Bracket stainless steel D 2 935 00079 PTFE encapsulated...

Page 12: ...o be pressurized this is most easily accomplished by adding a small amount of dye to water filling the cell and setting it on some paper towels A slow leak may not leave the paper towels damp but will...

Page 13: ...ngs are designed to be tightened with finger pressure only A given ACE Thred size can only accommodate specific diameter objects A 7 ACE Thred is specified to work with objects with a diameter between...

Page 14: ...your cell you can add a small one using a spare port Bridge Tube and Reference Electrode The bridge tube fits any of the 7 ports on the top but normal use is via the top port on the working electrode...

Page 15: ...hrough one of the threaded holes Mesh in particular may require this to be added before assembly of the main cell If you are not using a counter electrode on the end plate opposite the working electro...

Page 16: ...handle gas flow Use a thin flexible tubing PTFE or other for the gas feed line With the cell assembled run the feed line in through the angled threaded access port on the counter side Feed through to...

Page 17: ...ParaCell they must be in place prior to filling the cell with test solution Sample surface finish and other sample preparation are critical if you want to obtain reproducible results Consult the corr...

Page 18: ...mples should be masked in the same way When masking make sure the revealed area is centered in the hole when mounting the electrode Electrode Connections Corrosion If you are using your ParaCell with...

Page 19: ...available even for a user who uses two references and two working electrodes There are a total of six ports but only three or four are necessary for most experiments With two to three spare access po...

Page 20: ...n of a pH Electrode 16 Selected Specifications Cell Volume 300 mL standard operating volume Port Type End Plate Holes 7 thread Number of Ports 2 O ring sealed 4 two vented Working Electrode s Exposed...

Page 21: ...periment many overloads The reference electrode white lead in the cell cable is not connected to the cell The working sense blue lead in the cell cable is not connected to the cell You have incorrect...

Page 22: ...hootingAddition of a pH Electrode 18 Contaminants are entering the cell from the graphite counter electrode Your electrochemical system is inherently irreproducible often true of localized corrosion p...

Page 23: ...g 13 exposed area 16 Faraday cage 14 17 galvanic corrosion 15 gas dispersion 11 magnetic stirring 10 masking 14 nitrogen 11 noise 14 noise electrochemical 15 parts list 7 PortHole sample masks 14 prob...

Page 24: ...Redefining Electrochemical Measurement Part 988 00017 734 Louis Drive Warminster PA 18974 Tel 215 682 9330 www gamry com...

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