STANDARD

HYDROGEN
ELECTRODE - SHE
 Important Standard
electrode used reference
in aqueous electrode
solutions

Standard hydrogen electrode

Electrode
potential equals
to zero.
H2

HCl
Coupled electrode is less than Coupled electrode is greater
zero than zero

Acts as cathode and reduction Acts as anode and oxidation takes

takes place. place.

H+ + e- H2 H2  H+ + e-
 Pt electrodes are
Difficult to set up. easily poisoned

Limitations of SHE Difficult to

maintain the
standard
conditions
Requires
considerable
volume of It cannot be
solution used in redox
systems.