Gamry Instruments ParaCell User manual

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ParaCell™
Electrochemical Cell Kit
Operator’s Manual

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Limited Warranty
Gamry Instruments, Inc. warrants to the original user of this product that it shall be free of defects resulting
from faulty manufacture of the product or its components for a period of one year from the original
shipment date of your purchase.
Gamry Instruments, Inc. makes no warranties regarding either the satisfactory performance of this Cell Kit
or the fitness of the product for any particular purpose. The remedy for breach of this Limited Warranty
shall be limited solely to repair or by replacement, as determined by Gamry Instruments, Inc., and shall not
include other damages.
Gamry Instruments, Inc. reserves the right to make revisions to the product at any time without incurring
any obligation to install same on systems previously purchased. All product specifications are subject to
change without notice.
There are no warranties which extend beyond the description herein. This warranty is in lieu of, and
excludes any and all other warranties or representations, expressed, implied or statutory, including
merchantability and fitness, as well as any and all other obligations or liabilities of Gamry
Instruments, Inc.; including but not limited to, special or consequential damages.
This Limited Warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may have others which vary from state to
state. Some states do not allow for the exclusion of incidental or consequential damages.
No person, firm or corporation is authorized to assume for Gamry Instruments, Inc., any additional
obligation or liability not expressly provided herein except in writing duly executed by an officer of Gamry
Instruments, Inc.

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If You Have Problems
Please visit our service and support page at www.gamry.com/service-support/.
This page contains information on installation, software updates, and training. It also contains links to the
latest available documentation. If you are unable to locate the information you need from our website, you
can contact us via email using the link provided on our website. Alternatively, you can contact us one of
the following ways:
Internet www.gamry.com/service-support/
Telephone [phone]:00 AM - 5:00 PM US Eastern Standard Time
[phone] Toll-free US & Canada Only
Replacement parts for this kit are available from Gamry Instruments, Inc. Optional parts may be available
from Gamry Instruments, or from third-party vendors. Contact your local Gamry sales representative to
discuss any special requirements or accessories that you need.
Disclaimer
The information in this manual has been carefully checked and is believed to be accurate as of the time of
printing. However, Gamry Instruments, Inc. assumes no responsibility for errors that might appear.
Copyrights and Trademarks
ParaCell™Manual copyright 2009−2017 Gamry Instruments, Inc.
VistaShield™copyright 2006−2016 Gamry Instruments, Inc.
Viton®is a registered trademark of The Chemours Company.
Kalrez®is a registered trademark of DuPont Performance Elastomers.
Pyrex®is a registered trademark of Corning Incorporated.
No part of this document may be copied or reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of
Gamry Instruments, Inc.

Copyrights and Trademarks
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ParaCell
Operator’s Manual
Copyright 2017 Gamry Instruments, Inc.
Revision 1.41
November 30, 2017
988-00017

Copyrights and Trademarks
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Copyrights and Trademarks
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Table of Contents
Limited Warranty...........................................................................................................................i
If You Have Problems ....................................................................................................................ii
Copyrights and Trademarks ............................................................................................................ii
Introduction...................................................................................................................................4
Chemical Compatibility of the ParaCell...........................................................................................5
Unpacking and Checking Your ParaCell..........................................................................................6
Checking for Shipping Damage .........................................................................................6
Parts List ...........................................................................................................................7
Assembly .......................................................................................................................................8
General Information..........................................................................................................8
Main Cell Assembly...........................................................................................................9
Stirring With a Magnetic Stirrer ............................................................................10
Bridge Tube and Reference Electrode................................................................................10
Counter Electrode .............................................................................................................11
Gas-flow Overview and Terminology.................................................................................11
Pre-saturation of the Purge Gas ............................................................................12
Gas Dispersion Apparatus ....................................................................................12
Attaching Gas Tubing to the Cell .......................................................................................13
Unused Ports ....................................................................................................................13
Working Electrode (Sample) ..............................................................................................13
Sample Masking................................................................................................................14
Electrode Connections: Corrosion...................................................................................................14
Electrochemical Noise and Galvanic Corrosion ...............................................................................15
Customizing Your Cell....................................................................................................................15
Addition of Corrosive Agents ................................................................................15
Temperature Sensing and Control ........................................................................15
Addition of a pH Electrode...................................................................................15
Selected Specifications ...................................................................................................................16
Troubleshooting.............................................................................................................................17
Index.............................................................................................................................................19

Introduction
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Introduction
The Gamry Instruments ParaCell™was designed for simple, reliable operation. The cell is normally used to run
electrochemical tests on flat (conductive) specimens. You can also customize the cell for use with other sample
types.
The ParaCell uses the two end plates and one of the four standard ports to implement its required functions.
You can customize the cell by rearranging some of Gamry’s standard fittings or making or buying additional
fittings, electrodes, sensors or adapters.
A reference electrode is not included in the cell kit. Requirements for this electrode vary too
much from user to user to make its inclusion in the standard kit practical. Gamry Instruments sells three
types of reference electrodes (SCE, Ag|AgCl, and Hg|Hg2SO4) that are suitable for use with your ParaCell
kit. Order your reference electrode separately.

Chemical Compatibility of the ParaCell
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Chemical Compatibility of the ParaCell
The components in the ParaCell were selected to be sufficiently chemically inert to handle typical experimental
conditions. In normal use the materials in contact with the test solution are:
•the working electrode,
•borosilicate glass (Pyrex®or equivalent),
•unfired glass frit,
•PTFE,
•polycarbonate
•Ace Glass’s FETFE o-ring material
•spectroscopic grade graphite
Chemical resistance tables for most of these materials are available (try searching the Internet). One exception is
FETFE, which is a elastomer proprietary to Ace Glass, which consists of PTFE particles in a fluorinated rubber
base similar to Viton®. According to Ace Glass, it offers slightly better chemical resistance than Viton®.
The ACE-Thred™fittings supplied with the cell do not normally come in contact with the cell electrolyte. These
are nylon fittings, so you can use nylon’s properties (which are generally available) as an indication of these
fitting’s suitability for use in any specific chemical environment.
Gamry’s Paracell was not designed for use in electrolytes that dissolve glass (extremely basic solutions or HF
containing solutions) or organic solvents which could damage the polycarbonate body. Be aware that some
biological molecules will “stick” to the cell body.
Caution: The glass components in the cell and the glass frits used in the reference bridge
tube are not suitable for use with extremely basic solutions or solutions containing hydrofluoric acid.
Caution: The nylon bushings in the ACE-Thred fittings and the FETFE O-rings may not be
suitable for use in some electrolytes (particularly non-aqueous media). If you need better chemical
resistance than that offered using the standard ACE-Thred components, Ace Glass (www.aceglass.com) can
provide replacement fittings made from PTFE and Kalrez®, which are extremely resistant to chemical attack.
Contact Gamry Instruments, if you need help selecting the proper replacement fittings.

Unpacking and Checking Your ParaCellChecking for Shipping Damage
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Unpacking and Checking Your ParaCell
This section is primarily intended for the user who has just received a new ParaCell.
Checking for Shipping Damage
Your new ParaCell kit was shipped disassembled to minimize shipping damage. All of the pieces have been
carefully packaged in anticipation of rough handling in shipment. Unfortunately, no matter how carefully glass
pieces are packaged, damage will sometimes occur.
When you first receive your ParaCell kit, please check it for any signs of shipping damage. Be especially careful
if the shipping container shows signs of rough handling.
Obviously, the glass pieces are the most susceptible to damage. Check the glass pieces for chipping and small
cracks as well as for major damage.
If any parts were broken in shipment, please contact our US facility or your local Gamry representative as soon
as possible. In most cases, Gamry should have replacement parts in stock. Please retain the shipment’s
packaging material for a possible claim against the shipping company.
If any parts have been broken in shipment, please contact our US facility or your local Gamry representative as
soon as possible. In most cases, Gamry should have replacement parts in stock. Please retain the shipment’s
packaging material for a possible claim against the shipping company.
Warning: Do not use any glass parts that are chipped or cracked. Any damage to glass
increases the probability of additional damage. Broken glass can have extremely sharp edges that represent
a significant safety hazard. Injuries from broken glass can be quite severe.