Controlled electrochemical activation of carbon-based electrodes
First Claim
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1. A process for producing an electrochemical sensor, comprising:
- exposing a carbon-based sensor electrode and a reference electrode to an aqueous solution;
cyclically applying an electric potential to the sensor electrode versus the reference electrode, wherein cyclically applying the electric potential comprises;
during a first time period, setting the electric potential to a first potential level at which the carbon-based sensor electrode substantially participates in faradic reactions with electrolytes in the aqueous solution; and
during a second time period after the first time period, setting the electric potential to a second potential level at which the carbon-based sensor electrode does not substantially participate in faradic reactions with electrolytes in the aqueous solution;
measuring an electrochemical capacitance between the carbon-based sensor electrode and the reference electrode during the second time period; and
stopping the cyclical application of the electric potential when the measured electrochemical capacitance reaches a predefined electrochemical capacitance value.
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Abstract
Certain embodiments of the present application describe a process to perform activation of carbon based electrodes in a controlled manner, where the degree of activation is monitored and calculated simultaneously with the ongoing activation process. Such an approach is intended to improve the reproducibility of electrodes that may include, but are not limited to, the following parameters: electrochemical capacitance, electrochemical transfer coefficient, amperiometric response to enzymatic reactions.
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8 Claims
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1. A process for producing an electrochemical sensor, comprising:
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exposing a carbon-based sensor electrode and a reference electrode to an aqueous solution; cyclically applying an electric potential to the sensor electrode versus the reference electrode, wherein cyclically applying the electric potential comprises; during a first time period, setting the electric potential to a first potential level at which the carbon-based sensor electrode substantially participates in faradic reactions with electrolytes in the aqueous solution; and during a second time period after the first time period, setting the electric potential to a second potential level at which the carbon-based sensor electrode does not substantially participate in faradic reactions with electrolytes in the aqueous solution; measuring an electrochemical capacitance between the carbon-based sensor electrode and the reference electrode during the second time period; and stopping the cyclical application of the electric potential when the measured electrochemical capacitance reaches a predefined electrochemical capacitance value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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