Super-Hydrophobic Graphene Reference Electrode for Miniaturized Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reference electrodes are bulky and require assembly of discrete parts, making them unsuitable for miniaturization and semiconductor-based sensing assemblies, and they are often incompatible with biological sensors due to the presence of silver.
Innovation Solution
A reference electrode comprising a reference electrode layer and a super-hydrophobic reference layer made of fluorinated or silanized graphene and/or graphene oxide, which can be integrated into semiconductor manufacturing processes and provides a stable reference potential without a separate liquid electrolyte chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional reference electrodes (Ag/AgCl with liquid electrolyte) are used, then stable reference potential is achieved, but device size becomes large and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the liquid electrolyte chamber from the reference electrode structure. Instead of using a bulk Ag/AgCl electrode with liquid electrolyte, the invention uses a thin-film AgCl layer deposited on a conductive substrate, completely removing the need for liquid electrolyte containment while maintaining reference potential stability through the solid-state Ag/AgCl interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the bulky three-dimensional Ag/AgCl electrode structure with a thin-film configuration where AgCl is deposited as a thin layer on a conductive substrate. This thin-film approach dramatically reduces the volume of the reference electrode while maintaining its electrochemical function, enabling integration into miniaturized sensor devices.
2Reliability
If conventional reference electrodes with discrete parts are used, then stable reference potential is achieved, but manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple discrete components into a single integrated thin-film structure. The reference electrode is formed by depositing AgCl thin film directly onto a conductive substrate that serves as both the electrode and structural support, eliminating the need for separate enclosures, liquid electrolyte chambers, and multiple assembly steps required by conventional reference electrodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive substrate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the electrical connection, structural support, and integration interface with the sensor device. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall device architecture by eliminating the need for separate components that would otherwise be required to fulfill these functions.
3Reliability
If silver-based reference electrodes are used, then stable reference potential is achieved, but biocompatibility problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate Biocompatible Layer between the AgCl reference electrode and the biological sample. This intermediary layer, composed of biocompatible materials such as proteins, peptides, or polymers, prevents direct contact between silver ions and biological tissues, thereby eliminating cytotoxic effects while allowing the AgCl electrode to maintain its reference potential function.
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
Enables miniaturization and easier integration into sensing devices, providing a stable reference potential and reducing manufacturing complexity while being compatible with semiconductor fabrication techniques.
Implementation Method 1
the reference layer comprises fluorinated or silanized graphene and/or fluorinated or silanized graphene oxide... the graphene or graphene oxide are functionalised or doped so as to form a super-hydrophobic reference layer
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a reference electrode for providing a reference potential during measurement of a property of a sample. The reference electrode comprising: a reference electrode layer; and a reference layer provided over at least a part of the reference electrode layer and defining a sample receiving region which is separated from the reference electrode layer by the reference layer. In one embodiment, the reference layer comprises fluorinated or silanized graphene and/or fluorinated or silanized graphene oxide. Alternatively, the graphene or graphene oxide are functionalised or doped so as to form a super-hydrophobic reference layer.