PRESSURE INSENSITIVE SOLID-STATE REFERENCE ELECTRODE FOR INSITU VOLTAMMETRIC MEASUREMENTS IN LAKE WATER

A pressure insensitive solid state reference electrode was prepared for in-situ voltammetric measurements in lake water in conjunction with a submersible flow-through cell. The dependence of the measured electrode potential on applied pressure, temperature, and the nature and concentration of the electrolyte solution is reported. Reversibility tests (cyclic measurements of the current as a function of applied potential) provided a qualitative indication of the state of the electrode. Its lifetime is approximately two weeks, but electrodes are easily prepared and can be stored for several months before use. The electrode was also successfully used for voltammetric measurements (differential pulse, square wave and linear sweep voltammetry) in the laboratory.