Effect of magnetic field on the electrode potential of metals.

The effect of a magnetic field on the electrode potential of Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu in different electrolytes was investigated. The electrolytes used were iron(III) chloride (0.02-0.6 M/l), iron (III) nitrate (0.06 M/l), caustic soda (8 M/l), hydrochloric acid (0.1 M), and sulphuric acid (0.1 M). All measurements were made at room temperature in magnetic fields of up to 4 kOe. Results from experiments with nickel and cobalt ferromagnetic electrodes and different electrolytes showed no effect of magnetic field. On the contrary, magnetic field caused a proportional change in the potential of the ferromagnetic iron electrode in solutions of iron(III) chloride and nitrate, and caustic soda. A significant long-time drift of the potential was found in all electrolytes. The electrode magnetization change gives the change of the potential, which is not proportional to magnetization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]