Plastic reference electrodes and plastic potentiometric cells with dispersion cast poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and poly(vinyl chloride) based membranes

Bioelectrochemistry. 2007 Sep;71(1):75-80. doi: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2006.09.006. Epub 2006 Sep 26.

Abstract

A simple procedure of preparing low cost, planar and disposable reference electrodes for potentiometric applications is presented. This method is essentially the same as used for obtaining all-plastic ion-selective electrodes and thus promising for simple fabrication of complete cells. Commercially available aqueous dispersion of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped by poly(4-styrenesulfonate) ions (PEDOT-PSS, Baytron P) is simply cast on a non-conducting plastic support (transparent foil for laser printers). This layer is covered by a non-selective poly(vinyl chloride) based membrane containing solid AgCl and KCl, added to obtain a stable potential. The conducting polymer layer plays a double role, of electrical contact and ion-to-electron transducer, enhancing the potential stability. The reference electrodes obtained exhibit independence of the kind and concentration of electrolyte applied as well as very low sensitivity to interferences: redox reactants and H+ ions; they are also characterized by both potential stability and low polarisability, sufficient for potentiometric applications. Cells of plastic electrodes (indicator and reference ones) are tested using an arrangement with Pb2+ or Ca2+ selective sensors. Potentiometric characteristic of such cells is satisfactory, well comparable with that using a classical electrode arrangement.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biosensing Techniques / economics
  • Biosensing Techniques / instrumentation
  • Biosensing Techniques / methods*
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / chemistry*
  • Calcium / analysis
  • Cations
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Electrochemistry
  • Hydrogen / chemistry
  • Ion-Selective Electrodes*
  • Lead / analysis
  • Membranes, Artificial*
  • Plastics / chemistry*
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Polyvinyl Chloride / chemistry*
  • Potassium Chloride / chemistry
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Silver Compounds / chemistry
  • Surface Properties
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
  • Cations
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Plastics
  • Polymers
  • Silver Compounds
  • poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene)
  • Lead
  • Potassium Chloride
  • Hydrogen
  • Polyvinyl Chloride
  • silver chloride
  • Calcium