Diamond Electrode Ozone Sensor with Stable On-Chip Reference

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrochemical sensors with diamond electrodes for ozone concentration measurement suffer from low accuracy due to floating potentials of reference electrodes, leading to measurement errors in ozone concentration.

Innovation Solution

An electrochemical sensor configuration using diamond electrodes for both the working and reference electrodes, with a predetermined surface treatment on the working electrode to observe a current peak in linear sweep voltammetry, allowing for accurate calibration curve preparation and ozone concentration evaluation without relying on potential fluctuations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a silver/silver chloride reference electrode is used, then the reference electrode provides stable potential, but the sensor becomes difficult to handle and requires chloride-containing solutions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereference electrode stabilityVSAvoidhandling difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the fragile, difficult-to-handle silver/silver chloride reference electrode with a disposable diamond electrode reference electrode. The diamond electrode is integrated into the sensor chip, eliminating the need for separate reference electrode handling and making the sensor more robust and easier to use in field conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the working electrode and reference electrode into a single integrated sensor chip structure. Both diamond electrodes are fabricated on the same substrate, eliminating the need for separate reference electrode components and simplifying the overall sensor system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If a silver/silver chloride reference electrode is used, then the reference electrode provides stable potential, but the sensor size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereference electrode stabilityVSAvoidsensor size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates both the working electrode and reference electrode onto a single chip substrate, significantly reducing the overall sensor volume. This miniaturization enables portable and handheld ozone detection devices while maintaining reference electrode functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If diamond electrodes are used for both working and reference electrodes, then the sensor size is reduced and handling is improved, but the ozone concentration measurement accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling easeVSAvoidozone concentration accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the diamond electrode surface properties through controlled electrochemical reactions and surface treatments. By adjusting surface potential, roughness, and electroactive site density, the diamond electrode reference electrode achieves stable potential comparable to silver/silver chloride electrodes, enabling accurate ozone concentration measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary electrochemical activation and surface treatment of the diamond electrodes during manufacturing. This pre-conditioning establishes stable electrochemical properties and reproducible potential behavior, ensuring accurate measurements from the first use without requiring extensive in-field conditioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The sensor achieves high accuracy in ozone concentration measurement by observing a current peak in the voltammogram, enabling precise calibration curve preparation and reducing measurement errors.

Implementation Method 1

sweeping a potential of the first diamond electrode against a potential of the second diamond electrode at a predetermined speed, and causing an electrochemical reaction on a surface of the first diamond electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical reaction: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 2

linear sweep voltammetry measurement in which the first diamond electrode and the second diamond electrode are brought into contact with the test solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLinear sweep voltammetry:

Data Source

PatentUS20260009760A1Electrochemical sensor and method of manufacturing electrochemical sensor

Publication Date: 2026.01.08 SUMITOMO CHEM CO LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure involves a first diamond electrode as a working electrode and a second diamond electrode as a reference electrode, wherein a current peak corresponding to an ozone concentration in a test solution is observed in a voltammogram obtained by linear sweep voltammetry measurement in which the first diamond electrode and the second diamond electrode are brought into contact with the test solution, the test solution containing ozone at a predetermined concentration.