Reference Electrode Membrane Structure for Stable Bio-Sample Potential
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reference electrodes used in electrochemical sensors suffer from potential variations due to the influence of albumin in biological specimens, leading to contamination and instability in electrode potential.
Innovation Solution
A reference electrode design incorporating an internal electrode, an internal solid layer, an ionic-liquid-containing membrane, and a hydrophilic membrane is introduced, which inhibits the flow of internal components and stabilizes the electrode potential by reducing liquid junction potential differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an ionic-liquid-containing membrane is used in the reference electrode, then the electrode potential stability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional membrane layers
Solution Approach 1:
The reference electrode is divided into multiple functional layers: an ionic-liquid-containing membrane layer and a hydrophilic membrane layer. Each layer performs a specific function - the ionic liquid layer provides stable potential reference while the hydrophilic membrane interfaces with biological specimens. This segmentation allows the system to achieve stability without requiring complex internal solutions or liquid junctions.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophilic membrane acts as an intermediary layer between the ionic-liquid-containing membrane and the biological specimen. It allows ion transport while protecting the ionic liquid from direct contact with proteins and other specimen components, thereby maintaining electrode potential stability without complex sealing mechanisms.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a hydrophilic membrane is disposed on the ionic-liquid-containing membrane, then the resistance to albumin influence is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Thin hydrophilic membrane films are used to cover the ionic-liquid-containing membrane. These flexible thin films effectively block albumin and other macromolecules from reaching the ionic liquid while maintaining ion permeability. The thin film structure provides sufficient protection without requiring precise thick sealing structures.
3Measurement precision
If multiple membrane layers are used to protect against specimen components, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful influence of albumin and other specimen components is extracted and blocked at the outer hydrophilic membrane interface, preventing these substances from reaching the critical ionic-liquid-containing membrane. This extraction approach maintains measurement precision by isolating the reference electrode's active components from contaminants without requiring complex multi-layer structures throughout the entire electrode.
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 proposed design provides a stable electrode potential even when measuring biological specimens, minimizing the impact of albumin and other components, thus ensuring accurate and reliable measurements.
Implementation Method 1
an ionic liquid has low solubility in water, and thus, at the interface between the hydrophilic membrane and the ionic-liquid-containing membrane, the concentration of the ionic liquid is promptly fixed so that equilibrium is attained. Therefore, the present reference electrode has a smaller liquid junction potential difference than a conventional reference electrode
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
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AI summary
Disclosed is a reference electrode comprising: an ionic-liquid-containing membrane; and a hydrophilic membrane disposed on the ionic-liquid-containing membrane.