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Potentiometric Sensors

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Environmental Analysis by Electrochemical Sensors and Biosensors

Part of the book series: Nanostructure Science and Technology ((NST))

Abstract

This book chapter introduces the principles of membrane electrodes, including potentiometric sensors, in view of their use in environmental analysis. The initial part of the chapter reviews essential response and selectivity theory: phase boundary potential and Nernst equation, selective extraction/permeation, modern selectivity theory and theory of trace-level potentiometry (passive ion fluxes). This is followed by a review of key materials and an overview of ions that can be detected by potentiometry with relevance to the environment: solid-state and polymeric membrane electrodes, corrosion-based potentiometric sensors and chalcogenide sensors. Achievable detection limits are discussed as well. The last part of the chapter covers dynamic electrochemistry approaches with membrane electrodes. Key protocols to be discussed include cyclic voltammetry, stripping voltammetry, exhaustive coulometry and chronopotentiometry, as well as their combination with potentiometry for in situ ion speciation analysis. This last part aims to bring to attention recent developments that will likely have a lasting impact on this class of sensors in the immediate future.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Geneva, Quai E.-Ansermet 30, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland

    Eric Bakker

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  1. Eric Bakker
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Correspondence to Eric Bakker .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, University Ca' Foscari of Venice, Venice, Italy

    Ligia Maria Moretto

  2. Institute of Chemistry, Universitat Graz, Graz, Austria

    Kurt Kalcher

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Bakker, E. (2014). Potentiometric Sensors. In: Moretto, L., Kalcher, K. (eds) Environmental Analysis by Electrochemical Sensors and Biosensors. Nanostructure Science and Technology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0676-5_9

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