Reference half-cells are widely used by corrosion scientists and engineers but are poorly understood by many users without a background in chemistry. This review covers the basic chemical rationale for reference half-cell, and the conventions established for their use. The problems of electrochemical potential measurements in sea water systems, some solutions to these problems, and the reproducibility
Ag/AgCl half-cells are discussed. Preliminary studies of Will self generated hydrogen electrodes are also included.
Keywords: half-cells, reference electrodes, seawater, Ag/AgCl, hydrogen cell