COUNTER ELECTRODE

"An electrode in a three-electrode cell that is used only to make an electrical connection to the electrolyte so that a current can be applied to the working electrode. The processes occurring on the counter electrode are unimportant, it is usually made of inert materials (noble metals or carbon/graphite) to avoid its dissolution. This is the case for cells used for research or for electroanalytical purposes. Of course, for many practically used cells, the processes occurring on both electrodes can be very important. Also called ""auxiliary"" electrode. "