Electrodes for Student Cell

PLEASE NOTE: We apologise that not all the electrodes are the same shape or size.

Common electrode materials include both reactive metals and inert substances like graphite. The best type for a project depends on the experiment being conducted. Reactive metal electrodes are used in galvanic cells to generate electricity, while inert electrodes like graphite are ideal for electrolysis.

Active metal electrodes actively participate in the chemical reaction and are used to build simple batteries, or galvanic cells. The potential difference between two different metal electrodes creates a flow of electrons. 

STEM Learning: Excellent for students, educators, and hobbyists to explore electrochemistry, metal reactivity, and energy generation.

Aluminium:In an electrochemical cell, an aluminum electrode (Al) typically reacts (oxidizes) at the anode when paired with a less reactive metal electrode that acts as the cathode, such as copper, iron, nickel, tin, or gold. Aluminum metal naturally forms a thin, protective layer of aluminum oxide when exposed to air or water, which can inhibit its reaction in some aqueous solutions. 

This oxide layer must often be addressed (e.g., by using specific electrolytes or high temperatures) for the reaction to proceed effectively in a student cell.

Brass: A brass electrode will act as the anode (where oxidation occurs, meaning the brass itself will react and corrode) when paired with any electrode made of a metal that is less reactive (more noble) than brass itself. The metal that is less reactive will act as the cathode.

Brass is an alloy primarily of copper and zinc, and its reactivity is generally between that of zinc (very reactive) and copper (less reactive). The zinc component is typically more reactive than the copper component and is often the first to react in a process called dezincification.

Electrodes that are less reactive than brass (and thus form the cathode, causing the brass to react at the anode) include Copper, Silver, Gold or Carbon.

Lead: A lead electrode (Pb) acts as the anode (where it reacts/oxidizes) when paired with any electrode made of a metal that is less reactive than lead, such as Copper (Cu), Silver (Ag), Gold (Au), Platinum (Pt) or Carbon/Graphite.

Conversely, a lead electrode will act as the cathode (and thus be less reactive) if paired with a metal that is more reactive than lead, such as Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Aluminum (Al), Magnesium (Mg).

Nickel: A nickel electrode (Ni) will act as the anode (the electrode that reacts or oxidizes) when paired with any electrode made of a metal that is less reactive than nickel.

In an electrochemical cell, the less reactive metal acts as the cathode, causing the nickel to react. These electrodes include, Copper (Cu), Silver (Ag), Gold (Au), Platinum (Pt), Graphite/Carbon (inert electrodes).

Conversely, the nickel electrode would be the cathode (and thus protected from reacting) if it were paired with a metal that is more reactive than nickel, such as, Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe)  Aluminum (Al), Magnesium (Mg).

Tin: A tin electrode (Sn) will act as the anode (the electrode that reacts or oxidizes) when paired with any electrode made of a metal that is less reactive (more noble) than tin. 

The less reactive metal electrode acts as the cathode, causing the tin to react. These electrodes include Copper (Cu), Silver (Ag), Gold (Au), Platinum (Pt), Graphite/Carbon (inert electrodes) 

Conversely, the tin electrode would be the cathode (and thus protected from reacting) if it were paired with a metal that is more reactive than tin, such as Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe) Aluminum (Al) Magnesium (Mg).