Simultaneously quantifying an alkane and oxygen using a single sensor

A method for simultaneously quantifying an alkane and oxygen using a single sensor, the method comprising:

• supplying an alkane gas to an interface between an activated surface of a platinum or palladium working electrode and an ionic liquid electrolyte, whereby the alkane adsorbs at or near an interface complex formed at the interface, wherein the ionic liquid electrolyte is selected from a group consisting of 1-ethyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1-propyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1-pentyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1-hexyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1-heptyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1-octyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, 1-nonyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, and 1-decyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imidem, and combinations thereof;
• supplying the alkane gas in the presence of oxygen to the interface;
• while the alkane gas in the presence of oxygen is supplied to the interface, applying a positive electrode potential to the platinum or palladium working electrode, thereby causing oxidation of the adsorbed alkane to form a reaction product;
• quantifying a concentration of the alkane using an alkane anodic current or an alkane anodic current density at the positive electrode potential;
• and
• using the alkane as an internal standard to calibrate oxygen detection.