three-electrode cell

https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.09081
Electrochemical cell with a working electrode, reference electrode, and auxiliary electrode.
Notes:
  1. Electric current flows between the working and auxiliary electrodes. Electrode potential may be measured between the working and reference electrodes.
  2. A potentiostat can be used to maintain a potential difference between the working and reference electrodes.

Schematic of a three-electrode cell. 1 - working electrode, 2 - reference electrode, 3 - auxiliary electrode. The potential between 1 and 2 is set while passing and measuring current between 1 and 3.

Source:
PAC, 2020, 92, 641. (Terminology of Electrochemical Methods of Analysis (IUPAC Recommendations 2019)) on page 654 [Terms] [Paper]
Citation: 'three-electrode cell' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.09081 RIS BibTex EndNote
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