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Polarography—past, present, and future

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Abstract

Polarography was first developed as an automated method of voltage-controlled electrolysis with dropping mercury electrode. The spontaneously renewed pure electrode surface provided reproducible electrochemical results which enabled scientists to work out adequate theory and rich analytical applications. The original method was then instrumentally modified in various ways. Later, hanging mercury drop was added as an alternative indicator electrode—in this way, polarography turned formally into voltammetry with mercury drop electrodes. Beside, in potential-controlled electrolysis, the mercury drop electrodes have been also used in current-controlled electrolysis (chronopotentiometry)—there, it has provided new experimental effects. Polarography has thus gradually covered a wide field of electrolytic methods based on the use of mercury electrodes, in which it continues developing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Physical Chemistry, v.v.i., Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Dolejškova 3, 182 23, Prague 8, Czech Republic

    Michael Heyrovský

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  1. Michael Heyrovský
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Correspondence to Michael Heyrovský.

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Heyrovský, M. Polarography—past, present, and future. J Solid State Electrochem 15, 1799–1803 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-010-1244-0

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