Potentiostat and powersource in electrochemical cell

AI Thread Summary
A potentiostat is not a power source; rather, it consumes energy to maintain a specific potential difference in an electrochemical cell. In the context of a CO2 reduction reaction, the potentiostat controls the voltage applied to the three-electrode setup. The discussion highlights confusion about the energy dynamics of potentiostats, with some participants questioning how they operate without consuming energy. Additionally, there is a request for a clear description of how a power source connects to the electrochemical cell, but contributors emphasize the importance of conducting personal research. Overall, the conversation underscores the distinction between potentiostats and traditional power sources in electrochemical applications.
LucidDreamer
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Hi,

Could someone please explain to me some terminology. Is a potentiostat considered a "power source" for an electrochemical cell (the cell is for the CO2 reduction reaction). An example of this type of cell can be seen here:

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-schematic-illustration-of-the-electrochemical-cell-used-for-reduction-of-CO-2_fig1_280395030

Basically I need to describe in a a document (in words) how a potentiostat and powersource would be configured into a 3 electrode cell. I'm looking for the words that will sound like an engineer wrote it. Thanks
 
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LucidDreamer said:
https://www.researchgate.net/figure...ell-used-for-reduction-of-CO-2_fig1_280395030
Lordy, what a Wall-of-Text at that link! Yikes.

Anyway, no, it looks like a potentiostat is a consumer of energy, not a producer of energy...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potentiostat
 
berkeman said:
Lordy, what a Wall-of-Text at that link! Yikes.

Anyway, no, it looks like a potentiostat is a consumer of energy, not a producer of energy...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potentiostat
I've read that.

don't really see how it consumes energy. If its purpose is to maintain a potential difference that wants to equilibrate to 0V eventually, doesn't that require energy.Not sure what's wrong with the link but its the cell diagram in this reference:

Selective Electrochemical Reduction of CO2 to CO on CuO-derived Cu Nanowires
Article (PDF Available)  in https://www.researchgate.net/journal/1463-9084_Physical_Chemistry_Chemical_Physics 17(32) · July 2015 with 430 Reads
 
LucidDreamer said:
don't really see how it consumes energy. If its purpose is to maintain a potential difference that wants to equilibrate to 0V eventually, doesn't that require energy.
What do you think powers that differential amplifier in the middle of all of that? :smile:
 
No idea what that even is.
 
Thanks you've been tons of help.

Any one else care to provide a sentence or two that would describe how a power source is connected to the cell that I cited, instead of posting links to wikipedia pages. thanks
 
LucidDreamer said:
Thanks you've been tons of help.

Any one else care to provide a sentence or two that would describe how a power source is connected to the cell that I cited, instead of posting links to wikipedia pages. thanks
Hmm, you mean you want us to write your paper for you, instead of you actually doing the reading and research yourself?

The PF doesn't work that way, especially for schoolwork. Thread is closed.
 
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