Development of a platinum rotating disc electrode for dynamic electrochemical measurements in glass melts

A configuration is described and tested that enables electrochemical measurements at a rotating disc electrode in glass melt environments. In a glass melt with 10 mass% Fe2O3 at 1200°C, it was possible to reach a time independent steady-state current, through rotating the electrode. In aqueous solutions, time independent electrode signals show distinct advantages to study the oxidation–reduction behaviour and the properties of polyvalent elements. The influence of rotation rate was studied and the results obtained were compared with those obtained at a static disc electrode. The rotation speed dependence of the steady-state current obtained in a molten glass environment at 1200°C was shown to obey the Levich-equation. An expected advantage of time independent signals is the concentration determination of metal ions in glass melts continuously and online. This opens new perspectives concerning the online monitoring and automatic control of the glass production processes. Furthermore, the validity of the Levich-equation opens new possibilities for diffusion coefficient measurement of metal ions in glass melts.