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Disposable planar reference electrode based on carbon nanotubes and polyacrylate membrane
F Xavier Rius-Ruiz1, Diego Bejarano-Nosas, Pascal Blondeau
1Analytical and Organic Chemistry, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain.
Analytical Chemistry
|June 2, 2011
Summary
We developed a new disposable planar reference electrode using single-walled carbon nanotubes and a polymer membrane. This all-solid-state electrode offers stable and reliable potentiometric measurements for diverse analytes.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Sensor Technology
Background:
- Reference electrodes are crucial for potentiometric measurements.
- Existing reference electrodes often face limitations such as instability and complex fabrication.
- The need for robust, cost-effective, and disposable reference electrodes is growing, particularly for decentralized applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a novel all-solid-state planar reference electrode.
- To utilize single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and a photocured polymer membrane for enhanced performance.
- To demonstrate the electrode's suitability for a wide range of potentiometric analyses.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a planar reference electrode using screen-printing and drop-casting techniques.
- Functionalization of SWCNTs with octadecylamide (SWCNT-ODA) for improved transducer properties.
- Incorporation of an Ag/AgCl/Cl(-) ion system within a photocured poly(n-butylacrylate) (poly(nBA)) membrane.
- Electrochemical characterization including potentiometric measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
Main Results:
- The developed electrode exhibits low potential variability (slopes < 2 mV/dec) across various chemical species and conditions.
- Stable medium-term signal performance was observed (-0.9 ± 0.2 mV/h).
- Successful solid contact between the SWCNT-ODA layer and the poly(nBA) membrane was confirmed.
Conclusions:
- The novel SWCNT-based all-solid-state planar reference electrode offers high performance and stability.
- The simple, cost-effective fabrication method is suitable for high-throughput, mass production of disposable sensors.
- The electrode's long shelf life and performance characteristics make it ideal for decentralized and multiplexing potentiometric analyses.
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