Fullerene-based electrochemical buffer layer for ion-selective electrodes

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Solid-state ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) face challenges with potential drift during continuous measurements.
• Efficient ion-to-electron transduction at the interface between ion-selective membranes and transducers is crucial for ISE stability.
• Fullerenes possess unique electrochemical properties that can be leveraged for improved electrochemical device performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an all-solid-state ion-selective electrode (ISE) utilizing C(60) fullerene as an electrochemical mediator.
• To investigate the role of C(60) fullerene in facilitating ion-to-electron transduction across the ISE interface.
• To assess the stability and reversibility of the developed solid-state ISE system.

Main Methods:

• Development of an all-solid-state ISE incorporating a C(60) fullerene layer.
• Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) to study interfacial ion-to-electron charge transfer.
• Analytical characterization of a model potassium-selective electrode.

Main Results:

• The C(60) fullerene layer effectively mediates ion-to-electron transduction between the ion-selective membrane and the glassy carbon transducer.
• EIS studies confirmed the facilitation of interfacial charge transfer by the C(60) layer.
• The developed solid-state ISE system demonstrated stable and reversible performance, mitigating potential drift issues.

Conclusions:

• C(60) fullerene serves as a highly effective electrochemical mediator for all-solid-state ISEs.
• The use of C(60) fullerene significantly enhances the stability and reversibility of ISEs, addressing key limitations.
• This approach holds promise for the development of advanced cation- and anion-sensitive solid-state ISE systems.