Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Alternating Current Bridge For Measurement of Electrolytic Conductance
Alternating Current Bridge For Measurement of Electrolytic Conductance
Alternating Current Bridge For Measurement of Electrolytic Conductance
been found to vary only slightly with the Ni content up to 6. N. F. MOTT, Trans. Faraday Soc., 43, 429 (1947); J.
30 at. % Ni (22, 23, 27). chim. phys., 44, 172 (1947); Bull. Soc. chim. France,
1949, D84; N. CA~RERA AND N. F. MOTT, Repts.
Likewise, oxidation of Fe-Cu alloys yields an outer scale Prog. Phys., 12, 163 (1949); K. HAUFFE AND U. J.
consisting of iron oxides and an inner scale consisting of ENGELL, Z. Elektrochem., 56, 366 (1952); K. HAUFFE
wfistite and nearly pure Cu as separate phases (23, 25). AND B. ILSCHNER,ibid., 58, 467 (1954).
To summarize, alloys involving noble metals may exhibit 7. W. J. MOORE, J. Chem. Phys., 21, 1116 (1953); U. R.
EVANS, Research, 6, 130 (1953); B. ILSCttNER AND
two distinct modes of oxidation, viz., (a) formation of an
H. PFEIFFER, Naturwissenschaften, 40, 603 (1953).
oxide la.yer of the less noble metal of essentially uniform 8. R. F. TYLECOTE,J. Inst. Metals, 78, 301 (1950).
thickness with a plane alloy-oxide interface, and (b) forma- 9. H. FISCHER, "Elektrolytische Abscheidung und Elek-
tion of a composite scale with an outer homogeneous oxide trokristallisation yon Metalten," pp. 487 ft., Springer,
layer, and an inner heterogeneous layer consisting of oxide Berlin (1954).
10. J. EDWARDS, J. Electrodepositors' Tech. Soc., 28, 137
and alloy enriched with respect to noble metal. The second (1952); This Journal, 100, 189C, 223C (1953).
mode may also occur when each of the pure components of 11. C. WAGNER, This Journal, 101, 225 (1954).
an alloy oxidizes, but the oxidation rate of the less noble 12. E. RAUBANDM. ENGEL, "Vortr~tge der Hauptversamm-
component exceeds considerably that of the more noble lung der Deutschen Gesellschaft fiir Metallkunde
component, and the interdiffusion coefficient of the alloy 1938," p. 83, VDI Verlag, Berlin (1938).
13. E. Rnu~, "Die Edelmetalle und ihre Legierungen,"
has a relatively low value. pp. 195-196, Springer, Berlin (1940).
Experimental investigations are in preparation in order 14. A. EINSTEIN, Ann. Physik, (4) 17, 549 (1905).
to check more thoroughly the hypotheses suggested in this 15. A. B. MARTIN, A. B. JOHNSON, AND F. ASARO,J. Appl.
paper and in order to determine under which particular Phys., 25, 364 (1954).
16. J. A. A. LEROVX AND E. RAUB, Z. anorg, u. allgem.
conditions the different modes of oxidation occur.
Chem., 188, 205 (1930).
17. F. N. RHINES, Trans. Am. Inst. Mining Met. Engrs.,
?kCKNOWLEDGMENT 137, 246 (1940); F. N. RmNES, W. A. JOHNSON,AND
This investigation was sponsored by the Office of W. A. ANDERSON, ibid., 147, 265, (1942); F. N.
Ordnance Research under Contract DA-19-020-ORD-2244, RmNES AND H. GROBE, ibid., 147, 318 (1942); F. N.
RHINES, Corrosion and Material Protect., 4, No. 2,
Project TB2-0001 (779). 15 (1947).
18. F. J. TOOLE AND F. M. G. JOHNSON, J. Phys. Chem.,
Manuscript received October 17, 1955.
37, 331 (1933).
Any discussion of this paper will appear in a Discussion
Section to be published in the June 1957 JOURNAL. 19. D. E. THOMAS, Trans. Am. Inst. Mining Met. Engrs.,
191, 926 (1951).
REFEI~ENCES 20. J. B. WANNER ASD C. WAGNER, Unpublished results.
21. J. E. STE&D~ J. Iron Steel Inst., 94, 243 (1916).
1. C. WAGNER, This Journal, 99, 369 (1952).
2. 0. KUBASCHEWSKI AND O. VON GOLDBECK, J . Inst.
22. L. B. PFEIL, ibid., 119, 501 (1929).
Metals, 76, 255, 740 (1949). 23. E. SCHEiL AND K. KIWIT, Archly Eisenhiittenwesen,
3. C. WAGNER, "Diffusion and High Temperature Oxida- 9, 405 (1936).
tion of Metals" in "Atom Movements," p. 153, 24. J. B~NARD AND J. MOREAU,Rev. M~tall., 47,317 (1950).
American Society for Metals, Cleveland, Ohio (1951). 25. A. TAYLOR, Private communication.
4. E. A. SEcco AND W. J. MOORE, J . Chem. Phys., 23, 26. F. ~-~EHL, Stahl und Eisen, 53, 773 (1933).
1170 (1955). 27. W. HATFIEI,D, J. Iron Steel Inst., 115, 483 (1927).
5. H. H. voN BAUMBACH AND C. WAGNER, Z. physik. 28. N. B. PILLING AND R. E. BEDWORTF4 J. Inst. Metals
Chem., B24, 59 (1934). 29, 529 (1923).
ABSTRACT
Various theoretical and practical aspects of the problem of attaining high accuracy
in conductance measurements are discussed. A number of refinements are reported,
including the use of a double conductance cell.
Jones and Josephs (1) and Shedlovsky (2) established their complete independence of the frequency, within the
the main conditions for minimizing errors in the a-c bridge audible range, of the alternating emf supplied to the
method for measuring electrolytic conductance. A funda- bridge. This criterion has seldom, if ever, been fully
mental criterion of accuracy in such measurements is satisfied (3). It is true that frequency dependence has
Downloaded on 2016-09-16 to IP 130.203.136.75 address. Redistribution subject to ECS terms of use (see ecsdl.org/site/terms_use) unless CC License in place (see abstract).
Vol. 108, No. 10 A-C B R I D G E TO M E A S U R E C O N D U C T A N C E 581
Downloaded on 2016-09-16 to IP 130.203.136.75 address. Redistribution subject to ECS terms of use (see ecsdl.org/site/terms_use) unless CC License in place (see abstract).
582 JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY October 1956
R5 and
al ] WCY ' C~R~(R2 - R~) = (C2 - Co)(R~R~ + R~Rs) (V)
H
Co
of this bridge model. Although separate quantities cannot
be evaluated, substitution of known or reasonably assessed
data in the equation
Downloaded on 2016-09-16 to IP 130.203.136.75 address. Redistribution subject to ECS terms of use (see ecsdl.org/site/terms_use) unless CC License in place (see abstract).
Vol. 103, No. 10 A-C BRIDGE TO MEASURE CONDUCTANCE 583
TABLE I. Cell constant determinations to be used. These difficulties may be absolutely avoided,
Concen- and all uncertainties about the "leads correction" to be
tration Constants from applied to measured resistances may be removed, by
(g mole/litcr R~ at 1150 cps Constant from ARt
x i~) adoption of the "four-leads" system which is invariably
used in modern platinum resistance thermometry. The
106.299 141.08 0.46502 0.11802 0. 34749 advantages to be gained are so great that it would appear
74.5656 142.34 0.46496 0.11799 0.34745
49.1596 143.64 0.46475 0.11754 0.34748 desirable to outline the principle involved. Two connect-
36.6060 144.44 0.46470 0.11740 0. 34750 ing leads are attached to each electrode of the conductance
14.9472 146.32 0.46449 0.11705 0.34744 cell, and these are led to a switch box arranged in such a
13.0958 146.54 0.46449 0.11703 0.34747 way that, by means of a mercury-contact switch of negli-
5.85475 147.62 0.46444 0.11696 0.34745 gible resistance, reversals of connections may be made as
4.31205 147.94 0.46448 0.11695 0.34748
shown in Fig. 3. The resistances a, b, c, and d represent
Mean : 0.34747 4- 0.00002 the four contact leads, X is the resistance between the cell
electrodes, and R~ and R4 have the same significahce as in
Fig. 1; R2' and R"2 are the values of R2 in the alternative
nitude less than the separate R~ values. This residual bridge arrangements. When the bridge is balanced with
effect was eliminated by extrapolating the resistance equal ratio arms (Ra = R4) the connections represented
differences to infinite frequency, involving an adjustment in Fig. 3 require that
of the order of 0.01% in the case of solutions not exceeding
0.005 g equiv/liter in concentration. The extrapolation a + X = d ~-R~ (VIII)
was carried out by means of the empirical equation and
AR~ -- f~ARr - fBAR,~ (VII) d + X = a + R~ (IX)
y.~ _ / B
so that the mean of the two values R~ and R" gives the
two standard frequencies, 3880 and 1150 cps (fa and true value of X, all extraneous resistances being cancelled
fB), being used. This equation, which is supported by the out. This device at once allows greater flexibility of cell
work of Wien (17) on this type of bridge, may be justified design, and the elimination of thermal disturbance of the
by Table I which relates to a set of determinations of cell cells by the use of thin leads of any length; it also removes
constant. Potassium chloride solutions at 25~ were used all objection to the inclusion of selector switches of the
for these calibrations, the extended Onsager equation (21), normal radio type in the cell circuit. The same circuitry
with values of coefficients due to Gunning and Gordon may be used to include a platinum resistance thermometer
(22), being used to interpolate conductance values appro- in the equipment of the bridge, thus facilitating precise
priate to the concentrations used. Table I shows the temperature control of the cells and investigation over a
constants for each cell, based on the values of R2 deter- temperature range. This arrangement is, in fact, regarded
mined at 1150 cps, and the constant for the double cell
based on the corresponding values of AR1 calculated from
equation (VII).
The mean deviation of the values of the constant de-
rived from AR~ is only 0.005% and it is entirely random
over the concentration range. I t is well within the limits
of error associated with the primary data and the prepa-
ration of the solutions. Since they are referred to conduct-
ance standards obtained by a high-precision d-c method
(22), these results may be taken to give strong support
to the validity of the double-cell method, which may
therefore be advocated as a means of attaining the highest
accuracy. X
E X P E R I M E N T A L PROCEDURES
Downloaded on 2016-09-16 to IP 130.203.136.75 address. Redistribution subject to ECS terms of use (see ecsdl.org/site/terms_use) unless CC License in place (see abstract).
584 J O U R N A L OF T H E E L E C T R O C H E M I C A L SOCIETY October 1956
as practically essential for use in conjunction with the The double cell was permanently mounted in an oil-
double-cell method. filled thermostat and was filled, emptied, rinsed, and
Cell design and use.--The first requirements in the de- washed by the manipulation of solutions under pressure of
sign of a completely satisfactory cell are absolute rigidity highly purified nitrogen in a totally enclosed, all-glass
of the electrodes and the absence from the cell of any dead apparatus. After the initial cleaning of the cell, following
space containing enclaves which do not readily mix with gray platinization of the electrodes in situ, it was not
the bulk of solution in washing and tilling operations. again subjected to drastic chemical cleaning agents. Scru-
These conditions are difficult to satisfy because of the pulous care was taken to be certain that only solutions
properties of platinum and borosilicate glasses; leakage of for measurement or water of ultimate purity were ever ad-
solution past imperfect seals is likely to be troublesome mitted to the cell; this procedure proved to be entirely
unless the functions of electrode support and electrical satisfactory. The opinion is held that the repeated use of
connection are separated. "Graded seals" and electrodes cleaning mixture and steam is deleterious to conductance
fused bodily to the glass cell envelope have their peculiar cells.
difficulties and disadvantages. These problems have been Bridge design and use.--It is well known that the oscil-
satisfactorily solved in the design used to construct the lator supplying the bridge must provide a sinusoidal wave
double cell, which is shown in Fig. 4. The electrodes were symmetrical about earth potential. This is not the case
formed from platinum hemispheres, a shape offering in many otherwise suitable commercial oscillators, one
maximum rigidity with minimum weight, and these were side of the output often containing an actual or "reflected"
drilled in the center to allow free flow of solution and near earth connection. This difficulty may be obviated by in-
the edges to permit the insertion of Pyrex anchoring serting a phase-splitting valve, with symmetrical anode
"rivets," which were subsequently fused to the inside of and cathode loads, between the oscillator and the bridge
the Pyrex envelope. Two fine tags of platinum foil, 0.001 input.
cm thick, were welded to each electrode at opposite edges I t has been found advantageous to feed the oscillator
of the central drilling. These were taken through the output first into a simple network consisting of two po-
envelope by means of thin-walled Pyrex pinch seals, which tentiometers of 1000 ohms each arranged in parallel. From
are known to be vacuum-tight (23, 24). The contact tags, this feeder circuit a signal of any desired amplitude and
which are destructively amalgamated if mercury is used, degree of asymmetry about earth potential may be sup-
were welded to platinum contact wires which were in turn plied to the bridge. Sufficient stability of adjustment over
connected to coned brass terminals sealing the upper ends the time interval required for a bridge measurement is
of the contact tubes. It may be noted that the leads provided by ordinary radio potentiometers and no com-
resistance arising from this method of construction, from plications have been found to occur as a result of using
flexible connections and from the selector switch-gear wire-wound types. In principle, this unit is capable of
amounted to some 2-3 ohms, but that measurements re- performing, if somewhat crudely, the functions of a Wag-
producible to 10-4 ohm could be made with certainty on ner earth; a conventional Wagner earth circuit was,
account of the properties of the "four-leads" system. however, used in the present work. In any case, tests of
symmetry of input signal to the bridge can be made in the
~Oln. Nz usual way by adjusting the blidge output to zero when
taken alternatively from opposite bridge points, or from
one bridge point and earth.
Finally, two points concerning standard resistance
boxes call for comment. The authors have found that their
resistance box (by Cambridge Instrument Co.), which has
negligible temperature coefficient and frequency depend-
ence, undergoes a slow change in resistance and requires
recalibmtion at intervals of six to twelve months. It is also
found that contact resistance develops over the course of
a day or two, and is only countered by frequent routine
cleaning of all contacts. For this operation, polishing
I alumina suspcnded in benzene has been found to be the
ideal medium. So-called "contact lubricants" have been
found to be deleterious.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Downloaded on 2016-09-16 to IP 130.203.136.75 address. Redistribution subject to ECS terms of use (see ecsdl.org/site/terms_use) unless CC License in place (see abstract).
Vol. 103, No. 10 A-C BRIDGE TO MEASURE CONDUCTANCE 585
Downloaded on 2016-09-16 to IP 130.203.136.75 address. Redistribution subject to ECS terms of use (see ecsdl.org/site/terms_use) unless CC License in place (see abstract).