Liquid electrode
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
InventorAmy A. Ekechukwu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A dropping electrolyte electrode for use in electrochemical analysis of non-polar sample solutions, such as benzene or cyclohexane. The liquid electrode, preferably an aqueous salt solution immiscible in the sample solution, is introduced into the solution in dropwise fashion from a capillary. The electrolyte is introduced at a known rate, thus, the droplets each have the same volume and surface area. The electrode is used in making standard electrochemical measurements in order to determine properties of non-polar sample solutions.
Claims20
Apparatus for electrochemical analysis of ions in a solution, said apparatus comprising:
- a cell, said solution contained by said cell;
- an auxiliary electrode in said solution;
- a reservoir which contains a polar electrolyte, feeds said polar electrtrolyte into said solution at a spaced apart distance from said auxiliary electrode, said electrolyte being immiscible in said solution;
- and
- means for applying an electrical potential between said electrolyte and said auxiliary electrode.
Apparatus for electrochemical analysis of ions in non-polar sample solutions, said apparatus comprising:
- a cell, said sample solution contained by said cell;
- an auxiliary electrode positioned in said sample solution;
- a polar electrolyte;
- a working electrode containing said electrolyte and spaced apart from said auxiliary electrode, said working electrode having means formed therein for releasing said electrolyte into said sample solution in a dropwise fashion;
- and
- means for applying an electrical potential across said auxiliary and working electrodes so that an electrical current flows through said sample solution.
A method for electrochemical analysis of ions in a non-polar sample solution, said method comprising the steps of:
- positioning an auxiliary electrode in a cell containing said sample solution;
- positioning a working electrode in spaced relation to said auxiliary electrode and in electrical communication with said sample solution, said working electrode having means for releasing droplets of a polar electrolyte into said sample solution;
- releasing said droplets into said sample solution;
- and
- applying an electrical potential across said electrolyte and said auxiliary electrode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.