The mercury/mercurous sulfate electrode is a reference electrode in which mercury and mercury(I) sulfate are in contact with a sulfate-containing solution. In this product the filling is saturated K₂SO₄, so the system is chloride-free. It is therefore preferred in acidic and neutral work where chloride leaking from an Ag/AgCl or SCE would disturb the measurement (chloride-sensitive corrosion, halide-affected electrocatalysis).
Its potential in saturated K₂SO₄ is about +0.64 V vs. SHE, clearly more positive than Ag/AgCl and SCE, so take this offset into account when converting results to other references. Do not use it in alkaline solutions; choose Hg/HgO there. The electrode contains mercury: do not break it and dispose of it as hazardous waste.
| Electrode type | Mercury/mercurous sulfate reference electrode, Hg₂SO₄ + 2e⁻ ⇌ 2Hg + SO₄²⁻ |
| Internal filling solution | Saturated K₂SO₄ |
| Potential (vs. SHE, 25 °C) | ≈ +0.64 V (saturated K₂SO₄); 0.64–0.66 V depending on the source; ≈ +0.68 V with 0.5 M H₂SO₄ filling |
| Suitable media | Acidic and neutral aqueous systems where chloride is unwanted |
| Alkaline media | Not recommended; use Hg/HgO for alkali |
| Chloride | The filling contains no chloride; suited to chloride-sensitive corrosion and electrocatalysis studies |
| Offset to other references | About +0.44 V vs. saturated-KCl Ag/AgCl and about +0.40 V vs. SCE |
| Storage and care | Do not let the tip dry out; store in saturated K₂SO₄ solution, not in KCl |
| Hazard note | Contains metallic mercury and mercury(I) sulfate; do not break the body, collect waste separately as hazardous waste |
| Body sizes | Standard, long and slim 3.8 mm diameter body |
| Model | Description |
| Standard | Standard length |
| Long | Extended length |
| Slim 3.8 mm | Slim 3.8 mm diameter body |
For sizes and specifications not listed above, you can request a custom quotation through the Quote Form.
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