Fundamental Principles of Organic Electrochemistry: Fundamental Aspects of Electrochemistry Dealing with Organic Molecules - Fundamentals and Applications of Organic Electrochemistry - page 6

chemical species to activate the electrode.
Specific procedures for different electrode
materials can be found in references [1] and [2],
and those contained therein.
2.2 Reference Electrodes
The potential of the reference electrode must be
stable and reproducible. In aqueous solutions,
the method for measuring electrode potentials
has been well established [3]. The standard
hydrogen electrode (SHE) is the primary
reference electrode and its potential is defined
as zero at all temperatures. Practical
measurements employ reference electrodes that
are easy to use, the most popular ones being a
saturated calomel electrode (SCE) ( Figure 2.2a )
and a silver-silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) electrode
( Figure 2.2b ). In contrast, in non-aqueous
solutions the method for measuring electrode
potential has not been established. The most
serious problem is the reference electrode, that
is, there is no primary reference electrode such
as the SHE for non-aqueous electrolytes and no
reference electrode as reliable as the aqueous
Ag/AgCl electrode. However, efforts are being
made to improve this situation.