Electrolytes for inhibiting silver deposition on oxygen sensor cathodes and methods of use of same

In a polarographic cell of the type having a sensor electrode, an Ag containing reference electrode, conductor means electrically connecting said sensor electrode and said reference electrode, and wherein a voltage potential having an absolute value of about 0.6V or greater is impressed across said electrodes, a method for inhibiting formation of Ag dendrites on said sensor electrode comprising providing an aqueous electrolyte solution in said cell having chloride and sulphate ions therein.

In a method of determining oxygen content of an analyte sample in a polarographic sensor having a sensor electrode, a reference electrode comprising silver, silver chloride or mixtures of silver and silver chloride, conductor means electrically connecting said sensor electrode and said reference electrode, and means for imparting a voltage potential having an absolute value of about 0.6V or greater across said electrodes, a method for inhibiting the formation of Ag based deposits on said sensor electrode comprising providing an aqueous electrolyte solution having Cl.sup.-1 and SO.sub.4.sup.-2 ions therein, the molar ratio of said Cl.sup.-1 :SO.sub.4.sup.-2 ions being between about 0.005-15:0.066-200.

In a method of determining oxygen content of an analyte sample in a polarographic sensor having a sensor electrode, a reference electrode comprising silver, silver chloride, or mixtures of silver and silver chloride, conductor means electrically connecting said sensor electrode and said reference electrode, and means for imparting a voltage potential across said electrodes, a method for inhibiting the formation of Ag based deposits on said sensor electrode comprising providing an aqueous electrolyte solution having Cl.sup.-1 and SO.sub.4.sup.-2 ions therein.

Aqueous electrolyte formulation in combination with a polarographic cell gas sensor comprising an Ag containing reference electrode, said electrolyte formulation comprising an aqueous mixture including dissociable chloride and sulfate salts, the molar ratio of chloride:sulfate salts being about 0.005-15:0.066-200.

In a polarographic cell of the type having a sensor electrode, an Ag containing reference electrode, conductor means electrically connecting said sensor electrode and said reference electrode, and wherein a voltage potential having an absolute value of about 0.6V or greater is impressed across said electrodes, a method for inhibiting formation of Ag dendrites on said sensor electrode comprising providing an aqueous electrolyte solution in said cell having chloride and sulphate ions therein wherein the molar ratio of chloride ions to sulfate ions in said electrolyte solution is between about 0.05-15 moles of chloride ions to about 0.066-20 moles of sulfate ions.

In a method of determining oxygen content of an analyte sample in a polarographic sensor having a sensor electrode, a reference electrode comprising silver, silver chloride or mixtures of silver and silver chloride, conductor means electrically connecting said sensor electrode and said reference electrode, and means for imparting a voltage potential having an absolute value of about 0.6V or greater across said electrodes, a method for inhibiting the formation of Ag based deposits on said sensor electrode comprising providing an aqueous electrolyte solution having Cl.sup.-1 and SO.sub.4.sup.-2 ions therein, the molar ratio of said Cl.sup.-1 :SO.sub.4.sup.-2 ions being between about 0.005-15:0.066-200, and providing an Au sensor electrode.