Marcel Pourbaix
Encyclopedia
Marcel Pourbaix was born on 16 September 1904 in Myshega (Aleksin District
, Tula Oblast
, Russia
, 54°31′N 37°2′E), where his father was a consultant on an engineering project. A brilliant chemist, he performed his most well known research at the University of Brussels, studying corrosion
. His biggest achievement is the derivation of potential-pH
, better known as “Pourbaix Diagrams
”. Pourbaix Diagrams are thermodynamic charts constructed using the Nernst equation
and visualize the relationship between possible phases of a system, bounded by lines representing the reactions
that transport between them. They can be read much like a phase diagram
.
In 1963, Pourbaix produced "Atlas of Electrochemical Equilibria", which contains potential-pH diagrams for all elements
known at the time. Pourbaix and his collaborators began preparing the work in the early 1950s.
Marcel Pourbaix was not only a scientist, but also a skilled pianist
.
Aleksin
Aleksin is a town and the administrative center of Aleksinsky District of Tula Oblast, Russia, located northwest of Tula. Population: -History:...
, Tula Oblast
Tula Oblast
Tula Oblast is a federal subject of Russia with its present borders formed on September 26, 1937. Its administrative center is the city of Tula. The oblast has an area of and a population of 1,553,874...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, 54°31′N 37°2′E), where his father was a consultant on an engineering project. A brilliant chemist, he performed his most well known research at the University of Brussels, studying corrosion
Corrosion
Corrosion is the disintegration of an engineered material into its constituent atoms due to chemical reactions with its surroundings. In the most common use of the word, this means electrochemical oxidation of metals in reaction with an oxidant such as oxygen...
. His biggest achievement is the derivation of potential-pH
Pourbaix diagram
In chemistry, a Pourbaix diagram, also known as a potential/pH diagram, maps out possible stable phases of an aqueous electrochemical system. Predominant ion boundaries are represented by lines. As such a Pourbaix diagram can be read much like a standard phase diagram with a different set of axes...
, better known as “Pourbaix Diagrams
Pourbaix diagram
In chemistry, a Pourbaix diagram, also known as a potential/pH diagram, maps out possible stable phases of an aqueous electrochemical system. Predominant ion boundaries are represented by lines. As such a Pourbaix diagram can be read much like a standard phase diagram with a different set of axes...
”. Pourbaix Diagrams are thermodynamic charts constructed using the Nernst equation
Nernst equation
In electrochemistry, the Nernst equation is an equation that can be used to determine the equilibrium reduction potential of a half-cell in an electrochemical cell. It can also be used to determine the total voltage for a full electrochemical cell...
and visualize the relationship between possible phases of a system, bounded by lines representing the reactions
Chemical reaction
A chemical reaction is a process that leads to the transformation of one set of chemical substances to another. Chemical reactions can be either spontaneous, requiring no input of energy, or non-spontaneous, typically following the input of some type of energy, such as heat, light or electricity...
that transport between them. They can be read much like a phase diagram
Phase diagram
A phase diagram in physical chemistry, engineering, mineralogy, and materials science is a type of chart used to show conditions at which thermodynamically distinct phases can occur at equilibrium...
.
In 1963, Pourbaix produced "Atlas of Electrochemical Equilibria", which contains potential-pH diagrams for all elements
Chemical element
A chemical element is a pure chemical substance consisting of one type of atom distinguished by its atomic number, which is the number of protons in its nucleus. Familiar examples of elements include carbon, oxygen, aluminum, iron, copper, gold, mercury, and lead.As of November 2011, 118 elements...
known at the time. Pourbaix and his collaborators began preparing the work in the early 1950s.
Marcel Pourbaix was not only a scientist, but also a skilled pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
.