Protonic Ionic Liquid Electrolyte for Miniaturized Gas Sensors

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrochemical gas sensors using aqueous electrolytes face challenges in miniaturization due to the need for a large water reservoir, and non-volatile electrolytes like ionic liquids decompose at high voltages, limiting sensitivity and sensor size reduction.

Innovation Solution

The use of non-volatile and hydrophilic protonic ionic liquids with an octanol-water partition coefficient LogP of about −3.5 or less, which allows for miniaturization and maintains sensitivity by preventing electrolyte decomposition at high voltages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If aqueous electrolyte is used, then sensor sensitivity is maintained, but sensor volume increases due to large water reservoir

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor sensitivityVSAvoidsensor volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the electrolyte by using non-aqueous electrolytes (ionic liquids, deep eutectic solvents, or their mixtures) instead of traditional aqueous electrolytes. This parameter change eliminates the need for large water reservoirs while maintaining ionic conductivity and electrochemical performance, thereby reducing sensor volume without sacrificing sensitivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite electrolyte systems combining ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents in specific ratios, or mixing different ionic liquids together. These composite materials provide synergistic effects that maintain high ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability while enabling miniaturization of the sensor device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Volume of stationary object

If non-volatile electrolyte is used, then sensor volume is reduced, but sensitivity decreases due to electrolyte decomposition at high voltage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor volumeVSAvoidsensor sensitivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the electrochemical stability window parameter by selecting ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents with inherently high decomposition potentials. These materials maintain stability at high operating voltages, preventing electrolyte decomposition and preserving sensor sensitivity while enabling miniaturization through non-aqueous formulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite electrolyte systems where the combination of ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents creates a synergistic effect that enhances overall electrochemical stability. The composite structure provides both the non-volatility needed for miniaturization and the high voltage stability required for maintaining sensitivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If aqueous electrolyte is used, then ionic conductivity is maintained, but device complexity increases due to water reservoir requirement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveionic conductivityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the water reservoir component from the sensor system by replacing aqueous electrolytes with non-aqueous alternatives. This extraction removes the source of volatility and evaporation problems, simplifying the device structure while maintaining ionic conductivity through the inherent properties of ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The non-aqueous electrolytes used in the patent are inherently stable and non-volatile, eliminating the need for sealed water reservoirs and associated sealing components. The electrolyte itself provides self-contained ionic conductivity without requiring additional structural elements, thereby reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 protonic ionic liquids enable miniaturized electrochemical gas sensors with improved sensitivity and stability under high-humidity or high-temperature conditions, suitable for mobile devices and biosensors.

Implementation Method 1

an electrochemical cell including two or more electrodes that are in contact with each other via an electrolyte

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon transport: Electrolyte

Implementation Method 2

the commercially available non-volatile electrolytes known to date are ionic liquids that decompose at a high voltage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical stability:

Implementation Method 3

a gas is introduced into one of the electrodes and the introduced gas is electrochemically converted and creates an electrical signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical conversion: Redox Reactions

Data Source

PatentUS20250341490A1Electrolyte for electrochemical gas sensor and electrochemical gas sensor including the same

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An electrolyte for an electrochemical gas sensor, the electrolyte including a protonic ionic liquid, wherein the protonic ionic liquid has an octanol-water partition coefficient LogP of about −3.5 or less, and wherein water is used as a reactant of an electrochemical reaction for gas sensing, the water is generated as a product of the electrochemical reaction for gas sensing, or a combination thereof.