The lead amalgam/lead sulfate electrode redesigned and reassessed

To make the (Pb)Hg|PbSO4|SO42- electrode really usable and attractive for extensive application in thermodn. studies, a new, simplified design and a convenient preparative procedure are introduced, ensuring stable amalgams and reproducible electrode potentials. The electrode thus prepd. was exhaustively characterized both thermodynamically and as a SO42- sensing electrode, in different sulfate solns., including H2SO4. The past discrepancies of std. potentials (mainly due to prepn. and/or handling problems) are discussed and, for a final resoln. of the question, a practical standardization procedure is proposed.