Evaluation of the Standard Potential of the Ag/AgCl Electrode in a 50 wt-% Water–Ethanol Mixture

Abstract

This paper deals with the evaluation of the standard potential of the Ag/AgCl electrode in a water–ethanol mixture (50 wt-%). A potentiometric method was applied using a cell without liquid junction. Mean activity coefficients of HCl in the same mixture have been also determined. The measurements were performed in the HCl molality range from 0.005 to 0.1 mol⋅kg−1. The Debye–Huckel theory and Pitzer’s model, based on the interactions present in the solution, have been applied. Good agreement was found between the results obtained with the two approaches. Uncertainties of the Pitzer parameters and interionic forces are discussed based on the values found. The variation of the standard potential as a function of the temperature was used to calculate the transfer thermodynamic functions. The effects of the solvent composition on the thermodynamic properties of HCl allow to highlight structural changes in water–ethanol mixtures.