Q.

Consider the following electrochemical cell at standard condition.  

Au(s)|QH2,Q|NH4X(0.01M)Ag+(1M)|Ag(s)     Ecell=+0.4 V

The couple QH2/Q represents quinhydrone electrode, the half cell reaction is given below.

[Given: EAg+/Ag=+0.8 V and 2.303RTF=0.06 V]

The pKb value of the ammonium halide salt (NH4X) used here is _________. (nearest integer).         [2025]


Ans.

(6)

Anode half reaction:

QH2Q+2e-+2H+,  EQ/QH2=0.7 V

Cathode half reaction:

Ag++e-Ag,  EAg+/Ag=0.8 V

Cell reaction:

QH2+2Ag+Q+2Ag+2H+          Ecell=EAg+/Ag-EQ/QH2=0.8-0.7=0.1 V

By Nernst equation:

Ecell=Ecell-0.062log[H+]2[Q][QH2][Ag+]2

In quinone-hydroquinone electrode, the concentration of Q and QH2 is maintained equal.

So, Ecell=Ecell-0.062log[H+]2[Ag+]2

0.4=0.1-0.062log[H+]212

0.4=0.1-0.06log[H+]

pH=5

H+ in the anode electrolyte comes from NH4X, which is a salt of weak base and strong acid.

pH for such a salt=12(pKw-pKb-log[NH4X])

5=12(14-pKb-log0.01)

10=14-pKb+2

pKb=6