Electrochemical Sensor

Abstract

An electrochemical sensor (40) is provided, the sensor comprising a working electrode (44); a counter electrode (46); and an ionic liquid medium extending between the working electrode and the counter electrode, the ionic liquid medium comprising an ionic liquid retained in a support material. The ionic liquid may comprise a cation selected from 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium ([CnMIM]), N-alkylpyridinium, tetraalkylammonium or tetraalkylphosphonium cations and an anion selected from hexafluorophosphate [PF6]; tetrafluoroborate [BF4]; trifluoromethylsulfonate [CF3SO3]; bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]amide [(CF3SO2)2N]; trifluoroethanoate [CF3CO2]; acetate [CH3CO2]; nitrate, and halides, including fluoride [F] 1 chloride [Cl], and bromide [Br]. The sensor is particularly useful in the detection of gaseous components in the exhaled breath of a subject and for use in monitoring the lung function of the subject, for example to identify the onset of asthma and/or COPD.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.