electrochemical sensor

https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.09072
Measuring system in which the response to an electrochemical reaction is converted, via a suitable transducer, into a measurable electrical signal.
Notes:
  1. Measurement principles of electrochemical sensors are given in the table below. When used in the description of cells, the measurement principle is written in place of ‘electrochemical’; thus, potentiometric sensor, amperometric sensor, conductometric sensor.
  2. Among the most important general criteria which must be obeyed in the design of a useful electrochemical sensor are:
    1. For amperometric and voltammetric sensors, the species to be determined are electroactive within the sensor’s potential range.
    2. For potentiometric sensors, there is an adequate electrode material, free from interferences.
    3. The concentration of electroactive species can be determined with sufficient accuracy and precision.
    4. Measurements are sufficiently reliable and repeatable.
    5. The response time of the sensor is sufficiently short.
    6. The drift or decrease of sensor response with time owing to electrode degradation or surface fouling is sufficiently low.
    7. Calibration is simple and easy to perform, or not necessary.
    8. The limit of detection is sufficiently low for the purpose envisaged.
    The relative importance of these factors depends on the requirements for monitoring, as well as on the technique employed and the electrode and cell configuration. It is important to bear in mind the possibilities and advantages arising from self-contained test modules, specific assays, miniaturization, and no necessity for external pre-treatment or reagent addition.
Table 1 Electrochemical measurement principles for electrochemical sensors.
Measurement principleApplications
potentiometrygas-sensing electrodes (e.g., for \(\ce{CO2}\), \(\ce{NH3}\), \(\ce{NO}\)), determination of oxygen in the gas phase (lambda probe) or ions in water solutions (pH sensitive electrodes, ion-sensitive electrodes)
amperometrymonitoring of carbon monoxide in air, dissolved oxygen in water (Clark electrode), glucose in blood (glucose electrode)
conductometrydetection of gases in air (\(\ce{CO2}\), \(\ce{NH3}\), \(\ce{NO_x}\), \(\ce{SO_x}\))
Source:
PAC, 2020, 92, 641. (Terminology of Electrochemical Methods of Analysis (IUPAC Recommendations 2019)) on page 652 [Terms] [Paper]
Citation: 'electrochemical sensor' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.09072 RIS BibTex EndNote
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