Premium
Meaning and Measurability of Single‐Ion Activities, the Thermodynamic Foundations of pH, and the Gibbs Free Energy for the Transfer of Ions between Dissimilar Materials
Author(s) -
Rockwood Alan L.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
chemphyschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.016
H-Index - 140
eISSN - 1439-7641
pISSN - 1439-4235
DOI - 10.1002/cphc.201500044
Subject(s) - gibbs free energy , chemistry , ion , thermodynamics , activity coefficient , fugacity , extrapolation , ionic bonding , aqueous solution , physics , organic chemistry , mathematical analysis , mathematics
Considering the relationship between concentration and vapor pressure (or the relationship between concentration and fugacity) single‐ion activity coefficients are definable in purely thermodynamic terms. The measurement process involves measuring a contact potential between a solution and an external electrode. Contact potentials are measurable by using thermodynamically reversible processes. Extrapolation of an equation to zero concentration and ionic strength enables determination of single‐ion activity coefficients. Single‐ion activities can be defined and measured without using any extra‐thermodynamic assumptions, concepts, or measurements. This method could serve as a gold standard for the validation of extra‐thermodynamic methods for determining single‐ion activities. Furthermore, it places the concept of pH on a thermodynamically solid foundation. Contact potential measurements can also be used to determine the Gibbs free energy for the transfer of ions between dissimilar materials.