Dynamic measurement of chloride ions is presented. Transition time of an Ag/AgCl electrode, during a chronopotentiometric technique, can give the concentration of chloride ions in electrolyte. This method does not require a stable conventional reference electrode.
This protocol describes the dynamic measurement of chloride ions using the transition time of a silver silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) electrode. Silver silver chloride electrode is used extensively for potentiometric measurement of chloride ions concentration in electrolyte. In this measurement, long-term and continuous monitoring is limited due to the inherent drift and the requirement of a stable reference electrode. We utilized the chronopotentiometric approach to minimize drift and avoid the use of a conventional reference electrode. A galvanostatic pulse is applied to an Ag/AgCl electrode which initiates a faradic reaction depleting the Clˉ ions near the electrode surface. The transition time, which is the time to completely deplete the ions near the electrode surface, is a function of the ion concentration, given by the Nernst equation. The square root of the transition time is in linear relation to the chloride ion concentration. Drift of the response over two weeks is negligible (59 µM/day) when measuring 1 mM [Clˉ]using a current pulse of 10 Am-2. This is a dynamic measurement where the moment of transition time determines the response and thus is independent of the absolute potential. Any metal wire can be used as a pseudo-reference electrode, making this approach feasible for long-term measurement inside concrete structures.
A chloride ion sensor based on the transition time measurement of an Ag/AgCl electrode is presented. The aim is to avoid the inherent drifts during the long-term continuous monitoring of the chloride ions in the electrolyte. Chronopotentiometric measurement, which is a dynamic measurement approach, of an Ag/AgCl electrode is used for this purpose. Here a rate of change of potential of an Ag/AgCl electrode is measured during a stimulus (galvanostatic pulse). The advantage of this approach is demonstrated by eluding the liquid-junction reference electrode and instead using any metal wire as a pseudo-reference electrode, therefore allowing the detection of Clˉ ions concentration for long-term (years) and in situ applications, such as measurement inside concrete structures.
Chloride ions in concrete structures is one of the major causes of degradation1,2. It initiates pitting corrosion in the reinforcement steel and results in the ultimate failure of the structure3. Therefore, measuring Clˉ ions in concrete is inevitable to predict the service life and maintenance cycle of a structure4,5. Different sensing principles have been reported for chloride ion measurement in concrete such as electrochemical6,7, optical8,9 and electromagnetic10,11. However, optical and electromagnetic methods have bulky setups, are difficult to integrate as a stand-alone system and have issues with selectivity12. In electrochemical technique, potentiometric measurement of an Ag/AgCl electrode is the state of the art approach6,7,13. Despite promising results, this approach is limited to lab-scale measurement since the drifts in reference potential and diffusion potential drop results in flawed data14,15. A transition time approach based on the dynamic electrochemical measurement (DEM) could alleviate the problem due to potential drift16.
In the DEM, a system's response to an applied stimulus is measured17-19. The example of such a system is chronopotentiometry. Here an applied current pulse is used as a stimulus depleting ions near the electrode surface and the corresponding potential response is measured. An anodic current at an Ag/AgCl electrode initiates a faradaic reaction (Ag + Clˉ AgCl + eˉ) resulting in a depletion of Clˉ ions near electrode surface. The potential change is a function of the applied current and the concentration of the (selective) ions in the electrolyte12,20. The moment these ions deplete completely near the electrode surface the rate of change of potential rises rapidly, giving an inflection point21. The inflection point on the potential-time response curve (chronopotentiogram) shows the transition time and can be determined from the maximum of the first derivative of the potential response22. The transition time is a characteristic of the ion concentration. This approach has been used to determine different ions concentration17 and the pH of electrolytes23,24. In case of an Ag/AgCl electrode as a working electrode (to which current is applied) the depleting ions will be chloride ions17. Therefore measuring its transition time will determine its concentration.
1. Chip Fabrication
Note: The chip consists of an Ag/AgCl working electrode (WE), an Ag/AgCl pseudo-reference electrode (pseudo-RE) and a platinum counter electrode on a glass chip. The silver metal is deposited on a glass chip, using standard cleanroom processes16. It is then chloridized in 0.1 M FeCl3 solution for 30 sec to form an AgCl layer over the surface. The Ag/AgCl WE (area = 9.812 mm2) is located in the center, surrounded by the Ag/AgCl pseudo-RE as shown in Figure 1.
2. Electrolyte Preparation
Note: The electrolytes were prepared with different concentration of potassium chloride in 0.5 M KNO3.
3. Experimental Setup
Note: The measurements were performed using a potentiostat (Biologic Science Instruments, France).
4. Instrument Operational Settings
Note: The operational parameters of the electrochemical cell are controlled via the user interface of the potentiostat. The potential response of the Ag/AgCl WE during an applied current pulse is measured for different concentrations of chloride ion.
5. Measurements and Data Analysis
The Ag/AgCl electrode is fabricated on a glass chip (Figure1) using a standard cleanroom process. The chronopotentiometric measurement setup (Figure 2) was used and response was measured using a potentiostat. To observe the effect of Clˉ ion concentration on the transition time, solutions containing 4, 5 and 6 mM of Clˉ ions in a 0.5 M KNO3 background are measured (Figure 3). The calibration curve of the square root of the transition time versus Clˉ ion concentration is plotted along with theoretical curve (Figure 4). Transition time response was measured for two weeks to evaluate the drift in the measurement (Figure 5). Transition time is measured in 4 and 5 mM Clˉ ion concentration for different pseudo-reference electrode to observe the effect of reference system on transition time (Figure 6). The range of current density over the range of 1-6 mM [Clˉ] is evaluated from the Sand equation (Table 1).
The transition time was measured in various concentrations of Clˉ ions, namely 4, 5 and 6 mM, as shown in Figure 3. The corresponding potential response is visible along with its first derivative. The peaks of the first derivatives give the transition times. The time instant of the peak is shifting to higher values with the increase in [Clˉ]. This is expected as more Clˉ ions present in the bulk electrolyte means it will take longer to completely deplete the Clˉ ions near the WE surface. The measured transition times for mentioned concentrations are 2.69, 4.28 and 5.92 sec, respectively.
The transition time measurements were calibrated against the known concentration of chloride ions. The measured data and its linear fit is presented in Figure 4. The square root of the transition time is in linear correlation to the [Clˉ], as predicted by the Sand equation. The apparent diffusion coefficient of Clˉ ions from the measured data is found to be 2.280 x 10-9 m2sec-1, which is in good agreement with the theoretical value, D = 2 x 10-9 m2sec-1. The deviation can be due to the uncertainty in the current density value attributed to the changing surface area during the current pulse. Furthermore the deviation is relatively larger for higher concentrations, e.g., 7 mM. This is attributed to the relatively large thickness of the concentration profile, which makes it more sensitive to convection.
The dynamic nature of transition time ensures a drift free measurement. To analyze the drift, the transition time for 1 mM Clˉ was measured over two weeks, as shown in Figure 5. There is a decreasing trend in transition time, 0.23 msec/day (corresponds to 0.8 µM/day), in the linear fit of the data. Nonetheless, this change is small and could be attributed to handling errors, changing Clˉ ion concentration due to evaporation, change in apparent current density and temperature variation over the measurement period. It is therefore difficult to give a concrete conclusion about the drift of the sensor; either there is no inherent drift or the drift is relatively small.
Another aspect of the dynamic nature of transition time measurement is its independence on a reference system. Various pseudo-references (an Ag/AgCl wire, a platinum wire and a steel wire) were set up to measure the transition time of an Ag/AgCl electrode in 4 and 5 mM [Clˉ]. The measurements are shown in Figure 6. For various pseudo-references the response does not change significantly, transition time varies within 80 msec (± 75 µM at 4 and 5 mM Clˉ ions). Therefore the reference system has no systematic effect; any metal wire can be a used as a pseudo-reference electrode for transition time measurements.
Figure 1. Chloride sensor chip along with the electrochemical cell. (A) The Clˉ ion sensor chip with Ag/AgCl electrodes on a glass substrate and electrical connection pads. The dimension of the glass chip is 15 x 20 mm2 whereas the exposed area in the electrochemical cell is 78 mm2. (B) The complete electrochemical cell (chip holder) with the mounted chip. The middle circular area shows the area of the chip exposed to the electrolyte16. Please click here to download this file.
Figure 2. Schematic of transition time approach. (A) Schematic of the Clˉ ion detection approach. During an applied current pulse at the WE with respect to a CE (not included in this Figure), chloride ions deplete at the Ag/AgCl WE, resulting in the illustrated Clˉ ion concentration profile. (B) Schematic of the ΔV and dΔV/dt response. The solid line (-) and dashed line (–) represent ΔV and dΔV/dt, respectively. τ is the transition time and t is the duration of the applied current pulse. Here, t/τ is the ratio of the applied current time and the transition time when t/τ = 1, the Clˉ ions at the surface of the working electrode depletes completely16. Please click here to download this file.
Figure 3. Transition time measurements. The chronopotentiograms (solid line) and their first derivatives (dashed line) of the Ag/AgCl electrode with respect to another Ag/AgCl pseudo-RE electrode in solutions of 4, 5 and 6 mM Clˉ ions. The background electrolyte is 0.5 M KNO3, the applied current pulse is 10 Am-2 and the ambient temperature is 20.9 °C. The maximum slopes of the potential responses are indicated by the dotted lines16. Please click here to download this file.
Figure 4. Calibration curve. A Calibration curve showing the square root of the transition time versus the Clˉ ion concentration, in a 0.5 M KNO3 background electrolyte. The circular points (o) are the measured data and the solid line (-) is the linear fit. The dashed line (–) is the theoretical curve from the Sand equation, eq. (2). The applied current pulse is 10 Am-2 and the ambient temperature is 20.8 °C. D and Da are the theoretical and apparent (measured) diffusion coefficients, respectively16. Please click here to download this file.
Figure 5. Drift analysis. Subsequent measurements of the transition time over two weeks. Each measurement was carried out every other day, with 3 measurements performed each day and 3 hr between each same-day measurement. The electrolyte contains 1 mM of Clˉ ions in a 0.5 M KNO3 background and the applied current pulse is 10 Am-2. The data points and linear fit are denoted by (+) and a dashed line, respectively16. Please click here to download this file.
Figure 6. Effect of different pseudo-reference electrodes. Measured transition times using pseudo-REs composed of a Ag/AgCl liquid junction RE, Ag/AgCl wire, platinum wire and steel wire. The applied current pulse is 15 Am-2 and the ambient temperature is 21.2 °C. Here, + and o marks show the measured data for 4 and 5 mM of Clˉ ions in a 0.5 M KNO3 background, respectively16. Please click here to download this file.
[Clˉ] range (mM) |
Current density, j (Am-2) |
(j/C*)min (A∙m∙mol-1) |
(j/C*)max (A∙m∙mol-1) |
τmin (s) |
τmax (s) |
1 to 6 | 10 | 1.66 | 10 | 0.146 | 5.26 |
Table 1. The selected current density for a Clˉ ion concentration range of 1 to 6 mM, evaluated from eq. (3). The corresponding values of the ratio j/C and transition time are also given16.
The transition time is the moment of inflection; it is theoretically independent of the reference potential i.e., the reference electrode. Therefore any metal wire can be used as a pseudo-reference electrode for transition time measurements. In contrast to the existing potentiometric measurement of chloride ions in concrete this method enables a long-term and calibration free measurement. Furthermore the sensitivity and the detection range of concentration can be tuned by adjusting the applied current pulse. For higher Clˉ concentrations, which are the case in concrete, higher current pulse should be applied to keep the transition time within 6 sec.
Although the dynamic measurement using the transition time of an Ag/AgCl electrode seems an attractive alternative for reference and calibration free detection of Clˉ ions. The interference from other anions, such as hydroxides and halides, can limit it feasibility especially when the concentration of interfering ions is higher than the Clˉ ions. For example a mixed (broaden) peak of transition time is observed if the [OHˉ] is 10 times higher than the [Clˉ] in the electrolyte. In this case the transition time peaks for OHˉ and Clˉ ions cannot be differentiated. The detection range of [Clˉ] depends upon the concentration of interfering ions such as OHˉ ions7. We have tested down to 1 µM KCl in the absence of interfering ions. Moreover, in the presence of iodide (Iˉ) and bromide (Brˉ) ions the sensor will preferentially detect the transition time for Iˉ and Brˉ ions rather than chloride. Typically in concrete interference from Iˉ and Brˉ ions is irrelevant due to their absence or negligible amount. Besides, interference from hydroxide and halides ions can be compensated by covering the Ag/AgCl electrode with chloride ion-selective-polymer membrane (ionophores)26.
The applied current pulse is a critical parameter in this determining the transition time and should be carefully selected. Higher current pulse can rapidly degrade the AgCl surface with the formation of silver oxide. Whereas lower current pulse results in a longer transition time, consequently inducing errors in transition time due to undesired convection. The current pulse should be adjusted in such a way that the transition time is within 6 sec. This can be evaluated by putting transition time value and concentration limits in the Sand equation16. The surface degradation due to higher current pulses can be remedied by applying a reverse current (cathodic charge, Ic x tc) after each measurements (anodic charge, Ia x ta). The cathodic current will remove the excess AgCl deposited during the anodic current pulse. The cathodic current should be lower in amplitude and longer in time, tc, such that the charge of anodic and cathodic current should be equal, i.e., Ia ta = Ic tc. Furthermore, a rough range of the [Clˉ] ion concentration should be determined in advance and the current pulse is applied in such a way that the transition time should reach within 5 to 10 sec. Furthermore, the potentiostat program should be adjusted such that the anodic current stops once the transition time is reached. This will avoid the formation of AgO.
This method can be used for long term measurement of Clˉ ions in concrete giving long-term and reliable measurements. It can be used to monitor Clˉ ions in in drinking water, swimming pools and biological samples. Furthermore, it can be extended to monitor other halide ions like iodide and bromide in drinking water.
The authors have nothing to disclose.
This work is a part of the STW project “Integral solution for sustainable construction (IS2C, Fleur van Rossem for her support during the chip fabrication, Justyna Wiedemair for the chip design and Allison Bidulock for her support during the manuscript preparation.
Platinum wire (≥99.99% trace metals) | Sigma Aldrich, the Netherlands | EP1330-1EA | |
Potassium chloride (BioXtra, ≥99.0%) | Sigma Aldrich, the Netherlands | P9333-500G | |
Potassium hydroxide (90% pure reagent grade) | Sigma Aldrich, the Netherlands | 484016-1KG | |
Ferric chloride | Sigma Aldrich, the Netherlands | 451649-1G | |
potassium nitrate (> 99% reagent grade) | Sigma Aldrich, the Netherlands | P6083-500G | |
Ag/AgCl liquid junction reference electrode | BASi, USA | model MF-2079 | |
VSP potentiostat | Biologic Science Instruments, France | VSP 300 | |
Steel wire | Microlab TU Delft | ||
Silver wire | Sigma Aldrich, the Netherlands |