Electrode potential Electrode potential Electrode potential, "E", in chemistry or electrochemistry, according to a IUPAC definition, is the electromotive force of a cell built of two electrodes: The SHE is defined to have a potential of 0 V, so the signed cell potential from the above setup is SHE is cathode and electrode is anode Electrode potential appears at the interface between an electrode and electrolyte due to the transfer of charged species across the interface, specific adsorption of ions at the interface, and specific adsorption/orientation of polar molecules, including those of the solvent. Electrode potential is the electric potential on an
Auxiliary electrode whenever the working electrode is operating as an anode and vice versa. The auxiliary electrode often has a surface area much larger than that of the working electrode to ensure that the half-reaction occurring at the auxiliary electrode can occur fast enough so as not to limit the process at the working electrode. When a three electrode cell is used to perform electroanalytical chemistry, the auxiliary electrode, along with the working electrode, provides circuit over which current is either applied or measured. Here, the potential of the auxiliary electrode is usually not measured and is adjusted so as to balance