Metal Electrodeposition on an Integrated, Screen-Printed Electrode Assembly
By Chyan, Yieu & Chyan, Oliver
Published in Journal of Chemical Education
2008
Abstract
In this lab experiment, screen-printed electrode strips are used to illustrate the essential concepts of electrochemistry, giving students an opportunity to explore metal electrodeposition processes. In the past, metal electrodeposition experiments were seldom included in general chemistry labs because of the difficulty of maintaining separate counter, reference, and working electrodes. Without any laborious electrode preparation, students can now easily learn to electroplate a wide variety of colorful metals on a disposable strip electrode within a standard lab period. The relatively light weight of individual carbon strip electrodes (< 0.5 g) facilitates a sensitive weight measurement of electrodeposited metal, allowing for learning of Faraday's law and electrodeposition efficiency.