High pressure reference electrode and a method to eliminate the formation of gas bubbles in vertical or sloped liquid-filled tubes

摘要

A method for preventing the formation of gas bubbles inside a high pressure reference electrode in the electrolyte-filled section, and thus eliminating the gas bobble effect on the electrical continuity, was disclosed. One or more thin solid rods or tubes are inserted into the internal electrolyte-housing tube and the thin rods or tubes alter the surface tension of the gas bubbles so that the bubbles are unstable in the middle of the liquid electrolyte. Compared with the fiber wicks or porous powder used by previous researchers to ensure the electrical continuity, the thin tubes or rods are easy to handle and easy to clean. This method may also be used in other systems that contain a liquid-filled vertical or sloped tube (e.g., a pH electrode) to prevent the formation of gas bubbles in the liquid-filled section of the tube.

主权项

1. A high pressure reference electrode comprising:
(a) a tube for housing an internal reference electrolyte and a metal conductor connected to a reference material at the bottom of the conductor; (b) a liquid junction plug sealed to the bottom of the tube wherein the plug is at a substantial distance from the reference material and is in direct contact with the internal reference electrolyte and allows electrical current to go through; (c) seals at the top of the tube that seal the internal reference electrolyte and the reference material inside the tube and allow the metal conductor to penetrate from the upper end for electrical connection; (d) one or more thin and long rigid objects inside the tube wherein the one or more thin and long rigid objects extend from the reference material all the way to the liquid junction plug,wherein the one or more thin and long rigid objects prevent the formation of gas bubbles in the liquid section between the reference material and the liquid junction plug.