MICROELECTROPHORESIS APPARATUS EMPLOYING PALLADIUM ELECTRODES

Microelectrophoresis apparatus for the electrokinetic study of suspended particles has been improved by the use of a novel palladium electrode system. These electrodes, suitably charged with atomic hydrogen by cathodic electrolysis, permit high current densities without evolving gas, and under prescribed operating conditions do not contaminate the suspensions under study with heavy metal ions or other electrode reaction products. Other features of the apparatus described are a precision-built, laterally oriented, flat observation chamber, phase contrast optics, a constant-current power supply, and a water bath for rapid dissipation of ohmic heat and maintenance of constant temperature. The simplicity of the electrodes makes them easily adaptable to any type of observation chamber. © 1969.