Individual ion activity and liquid junction potential—Two interrelated, interconnected electrochemical terms

Abstract

Liquid junction potentials (LJPs) arise by force when two electrolyte solutions with different compositions are in contact. Provided that individual ion activity coefficients are precisely known, a statement can be made about LJPs in galvanic cells with transference. The LJP and the single-ion activity are two electrochemical terms that are mutually interrelated, interconnected and thus interdependent. Interdisciplinary research is necessary in order to obtain knowledge about individual ion activity coefficients. With mathematically obtained individual ion activity coefficients, it is possible to make exact statements of the magnitude of LJPs in galvanic cells with transference. The obtained LJPs are smaller than the values evaluated by the equation of Henderson. LJPs in galvanic cells with transference are calculated, and true conventional potentials of reference electrodes are given.