Electrode preconditioning
First Claim
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1. A method of preparing an electrochemical device, said method comprising:
- (a) providing an electrochemical cell having a working electrode and a pseudo reference electrode;
(b) preconditioning the working electrode by applying a stepped preconditioning potential across the cell for a duration of up to 100s, wherein the preconditioning potential is applied in the presence of an aqueous solution capable of allowing an electric current to pass and the preconditioning potential consists of either one potential step, or one positive and one negative potential step;
(c) providing an electroactive reagent to the electrochemical cell and optionally drying the reagent;
(d) supplying a sample comprising a bodily fluid to the device, the sample being in contact with the working electrode and with the electroactive reagent; and
(e) applying a measuring potential across the cell and measuring the resulting electrochemical response;
wherein the electrochemical response of the cell is not measured during the preconditioning step; and
wherein said preconditioning step (b) is carried out either before step (c) or between steps (c) and (d).
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Abstract
A method for improving the precision of electrochemical measurements made using an electrochemical cell is provided. The method comprises preconditioning a working electrode of the cell by (i) baking the working electrode; and/or (ii) incubating the working electrode; and/or (iii) applying a preconditioning potential across the cell; and/or (iv) treating the working electrode with a UV laser.
15 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of preparing an electrochemical device, said method comprising:
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(a) providing an electrochemical cell having a working electrode and a pseudo reference electrode; (b) preconditioning the working electrode by applying a stepped preconditioning potential across the cell for a duration of up to 100s, wherein the preconditioning potential is applied in the presence of an aqueous solution capable of allowing an electric current to pass and the preconditioning potential consists of either one potential step, or one positive and one negative potential step; (c) providing an electroactive reagent to the electrochemical cell and optionally drying the reagent; (d) supplying a sample comprising a bodily fluid to the device, the sample being in contact with the working electrode and with the electroactive reagent; and (e) applying a measuring potential across the cell and measuring the resulting electrochemical response; wherein the electrochemical response of the cell is not measured during the preconditioning step; and wherein said preconditioning step (b) is carried out either before step (c) or between steps (c) and (d). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of preparing an electrochemical device, said method comprising:
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(a) providing an electrochemical cell having a working electrode and a pseudo reference electrode; (b) treating the working electrode with a UV laser for a duration of at least 2s; (c) providing an electroactive reagent to the electrochemical cell and optionally drying the reagent; (d) supplying a sample comprising a bodily fluid to the device, the sample being in contact with the working electrode and with the electroactive reagent; and (e) applying a measuring potential across the cell and measuring the resulting electrochemical response. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification