The
working electrode is the
electrode in an electrochemical system on which the reaction of interest is occurring. The working electrode is often used in conjunction with an
auxiliary electrode, and a
reference electrode in a
three electrode system. Depending on whether the reaction on the electrode is a reduction or an oxidation, the working electrode is called
cathodic or
anodic, respectively. Common working electrodes can consist of materials ranging from inert metals such as
gold,
silver or
platinum, to inert carbon such as
glassy carbon or
pyrolytic carbon, and
mercury drop and film electrodes. Chemically modified electrodes are employed for the analysis of both organic and inorganic samples.