Potential at Zero Charge for Reversible and Ideal Polarized Electrodes

The potential at zero charge for an ideal polarized electrode, as measured with respect to some reference electrode, varies linearly with the work function of the metal, while this potential for a reversible electrode is independent of the nature of the electrode. This observation is verified experimentally for Ag, Cd, Cu, Ga, Hg, Ni, Pb, Pt, and Tl in the case of ideal polarized electrodes and for Ag, Au, Bi, Cu, Hg, and Pt for reversible electrodes. It is shown that the difference between the Volta potentials from electrode to solution for an ideal polarized electrode at zero charge is approximately —0.33 volt, and that the difference between the Galvani potentials is equal to the surface potential of the electrode. The difference of Volta potentials for a reversible electrode at zero charge varies linearly with the electronic work function of the metal.