Electrochemical sensors and methods for their manufacture and use
AssigneeUniversity Patents, Inc.
InventorsWayne L. Worrell, Qing-Guo Liu
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Abstract
Improved electrochemical sensors are provided through isostatic processing techniques. Improved electrochemical sensors, especially those suitable for use in metallurgical melts, having, at once, long-term stability, improved sensitivity, and improved physical properties including thermal shock resistance are provided. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, unitary bodies comprising the sensing electrolyte and a source of reference potential are fabricated through isostatic processing techniques. Methods for the preparation of these improved sensors together with methods for the improvement of sensing, especially of oxygen in metallurgical melts are also disclosed.
Claims39
An electrochemical sensor for a species comprising:
- a shaped body isostatically formed from a blend, said blend comprising a solid solution having a fluorite crystal structure comprising:
- a metal oxide;
- admixed with said metal oxide, an oxide of an element from group IIA or IIIB of the periodic table in an amount sufficient to render said blend ionically conductive:
- and
- a reference electrode composition substantially completely contained within the shaped body;
- said shaped body having not been subjected to thermal densification.
A unitary electrochemical sensor for atomic or molecular species comprising:
- reference electrode composition;
- and
- substantially surrounding said reference electrode composition, isostatically compressed composition capable of generating an electromotive force upon contacting the atomic or molecular species;
- said isostatically compressed composition having not been thermally densified.
A method of fabricating an electrochemical sensor for a species comprising:
- selecting a metal oxide;
- admixing with said metal oxide, an oxide of an element from groups IIA or IIIB of the periodic table of the elements to form a blend in an amount sufficient to render said blend ionically conductive;
- providing reference electrode composition;
- and
- isostatically forming said blend into a shaped body substantially surrounding said reference electrode composition;
- said, shaped body not being subjected to thermal densification.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.