ELECTROCHEMICAL SENSOR

摘要

An electrochemical sensor (40) is provided, the sensor comprising a working electrode (44); a counter electrode (46); and an ionic liquid medium extending between the working electrode and the counter electrode, the ionic liquid medium comprising an ionic liquid retained in a support material. The ionic liquid may comprise a cation selected from 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium ([C<SUB>n</SUB>MIM]), N-alkytpyridinium, tetraalkylammonium or tetraalkylphosphonium cations and an anion selected from hexafluorophosphate [PF<SUB>6</SUB>]; tetrafluoroborate [BF4]; trifluoromethylsulfonate [CF<SUB>3</SUB>SO<SUB>3</SUB>]; bis[(trifluoromethyl) sulfonyl]amide [(CF<SUB>3</SUB>SO<SUB>2</SUB>)<SUB>2</SUB>N]; trifluoroethanoate [CF<SUB>3</SUB>CO<SUB>2</SUB>]; acetate [CH<SUB>3</SUB>CO<SUB>2</SUB>]; nitrate, and halides, including fluoride [F]1 chloride [Cl], and bromide [Br]. The sensor is particularly useful in the detection of gaseous components in the exhaled breath of a subject and for use in monitoring the lung function of the subject, for example to identify the onset of asthma and/or COPD.