Term: three-electrode cell
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.09081

Definition:
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.

Related Term: electrochemical cell (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.09058).
Related Term: potentiostat (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.09079).

Image: Three-electrode cell (https://goldbook.iupac.org/img/inline/09081.jpg) 

Source: PAC, 2020, 92, 641. 'Terminology of Electrochemical Methods of Analysis (IUPAC Recommendations 2019)' on page 654 (https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2018-0109)

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

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