Salt Bridge

What is Salt Bridge?
A salt bridge is a device used in an electrochemical cell for connecting its oxidation and reduction
half cells wherein a weak electrolyte is used. In other words, a salt bridge is a junction that connects
the anodic and cathodic compartments in a cell or electrolytic solution.
The salt bridge usually consists of a strong electrolyte which is further made up of ions. For example,
AgNO3, KCl, etc. Salt bridges are generally used in a galvanic cell such as a voltaic cell or Daniel cell.
Salt Bridge Function
The main function of a salt bridge is to help maintain the electrical neutrality within the internal
circuit. It also helps in preventing the cell from taking its reaction to equilibrium. If salt bridges are
absent or if they are not used then the reaction will likely continue and the solution in one-half
electrodes will gather a negative charge. Similarly, in the other half, electrodes would accumulate a
positive charge. This will further result in the stoppage of the reaction and no electricity will be
produced.
Therefore, a salt bridge basically helps in preventing the accumulation of positive and negative
charges around the respective electrodes and further allowing a smooth reaction to take place. It
also helps in the continual flow of electrons. However. the purpose of a salt bridge is not to move
electrons from the electrolyte; rather it’s to maintain charge balance because the electrons are
moving from one-half cell to the other.
 Salt bridge prevents the diffusion or mechanical flow of solution from one-half cell to
another.
 It prevents or minimizes the liquid-liquid junction potential. (Potential arises between two
solutions when they are in contact with each other).
 Salt bridge acts as an electrical contact between two half cells.
Types of Salt Bridges

There are mainly two types of salt bridges used in electrochemical cells.
 Glass Tube Bridge

 Filter Paper Bridge
Glass Tube Bridge
They are generally U – Shaped Tubes filled with electrolyte. Sodium Chloride (NaCl),
Potassium Chloride (KCL), Potassium Nitrate (KNO3) is generally used electrolyte. The
electrolyte needs to be relatively unreactive with other chemicals in the cell and have cations
and anions with similar migratory speed (comparable ion charge and molecular weight).
Also Read: Electrochemistry
The electrolytes are often held as gel such as Agar-Agar. The concentration of salt solution
and diameter of the glass tube plays an important role in conductivity. Lowering the
concentration and the diameter of the tube decreases the conductivity.
Filter Paper Bridge
They are another most commonly used bridge, consist of filter paper or porous material
soaked in electrolyte. Here, sodium chloride (NaCl) or potassium chloride (KCL) are
commonly used electrolyte. Electrolytic concentration, porosity, and roughness of filter paper
affect the conductivity. For higher conductivity, a filter paper with smooth absorbent is used,
they yield higher conductivity than rough paper with lower absorbent.
As stated above, a salt bridge’s main function is to maintain the electrical neutrality between
two beakers. To do so the salt used must be inert. The ions need to move to and forth between
the two half cells. Unlike other salts, potassium chloride (KCl) and potassium nitrate (KNO3)
are better inert salts. An inert salt is used to prevent the reactions from occurring between the
salt and solution. The inert salt potassium chloride (KCl) is a commonly used salt because the
potassium and chloride ions have very common diffusion coefficient and minimizing junction
potential, but the potassium chloride is unwise to use as electrolyte when the electrode used is
lead or silver because they form a precipitate.
Salt Bridge in Electrolysis
Like in the electrochemical cell, salt bridges have the same function in electrolytic cells too.
If we immerse the two electrodes in one solution in a single container, no salt bridge is
necessary, but if we want each electrode in a different solution and in separate containers, we
need a salt bridge to complete the circuit. It contains mobile ions that act as charge carriers.
Preparing Salt Bridge

Soaking String, Cotton, or Paper Material in an Electrolyte Solution
For preparing a bridge, take material that is large enough to reach two beakers. Place this
material in a pool of electrolyte until they get saturated with the solution. Carefully take the
material from the electrolytic solution and remove the excess amount of electrolyte.
Preparing Gel to Function as Bridge
The gel is suspended in an electrolytic solution and they are treated with a buffered solution
and heated later. The viscous gel is allowed to set on a glass plate or tube
Working of Salt Bridge
The oxidations that occur in anode generate electron and positive ions. Now the electrons
flow through the wire leaving the unbalanced positive charge in a beaker. In order to maintain
the electrical neutrality the negatively charged (NO3–) ion moves to the positively charged
beaker (anodic half cell).
A similar situation develops in the cathode cell but in reverse. Here the Cu2+ ions are
consumed. So for maintaining the electrical neutrality, the K+ ions are migrated into this half
cell from the salt bridge. Hence the electrical neutrality of solution is maintained using the
salt bridge.
What Happens if No Salt Bridge is Used in a Galvanic Cell?
A galvanic cell is one where electricity is generated by a redox reaction. A salt bridge plays
an important role in a galvanic cell. Let us see what happens if there is no salt bridge present
in the galvanic cell.
 Before wires are connected, the solution in each beaker is neutral.

 So they have an equal number of positive charges and negative charges.
 The Zinc bar (Anode used in a galvanic cell) will give up 2 electrons. So that the electrons
flow to copper bar (cathode used in the galvanic cell) through the wire.
 So the solution gains a positive charge since zinc loses electrons.
 The copper bar (cathode) takes the two electrons causing one positive copper ion (Cu +2) to
leave the solution and accept the two electrons.
 When this happens an atom of copper will deposit on the copper bar.
 Hence this solution becomes negatively charged.
Now there exist two voltages, one between the electrodes (metal bar) and other is between the
charged solutions. The voltage between the metal bar or electrode is positive and the voltage
between the charged solution is negative. So these voltages will cancel out and no current
will flow. This proves the importance of salt bridges in any electrochemical cell or
electrolysis.

Salt Bridge

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What is Salt Bridge?

Salt Bridge Function

Types of Salt Bridges

 Glass Tube Bridge

Also Read: Electrochemistry

Filter Paper Bridge

Salt Bridge in Electrolysis

Preparing Salt Bridge

Preparing Gel to Function as Bridge

What Happens if No Salt Bridge is Used in a Galvanic Cell?

 Before wires are connected, the solution in each beaker is neutral.

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