Silver Chloride AgCl

Silver chloride is a chemical compound with the chemical formula AgCl. This white crystalline solid is well known for its low solubility in water (this behaviour being reminiscent of the chlorides of Tl+ and Pb2+). Upon illumination or heating, silver chloride converts to silver (and chlorine), which is signaled by greyish or purplish coloration to some samples. AgCl occurs naturally as a mineral chlorargyrite.

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APPLICATIONS	The silver chloride electrode is a common reference electrode in electrochemistry. Silver chloride’s low solubility makes it a useful addition to pottery glazes for the production of “Inglaze lustre”. Silver chloride has been used as an antidote for mercury poisoning, assisting in the elimination of mercury.