Abstract

An electrochemical biofilm sensor includes a first electrode that is a working electrode, on whose surface the biofilm develops; a second electrode that is a reference electrode providing a stable reference potential for the polarization of the working electrode; and a third electrode that is a counter-electrode, which can be connected to the first electrode through an electric circuit, thereby enabling the circulation of current from the first to the third electrode or vice versa, as a function of the alteration induced by the biofilm on the kinetics of the reactions evolving on the surface of the first electrode. The first, second, and/or third electrode have a coating based on mixed oxides of different noble metals, such as iridium, ruthenium, platinum, rhodium, tantalum or niobium, with a thickness between 0.1 and 50 microns, preferably 2.5 microns±10%, one or more of the electrodes being made of titanium or tantalum.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01N 27/327 - Biochemical electrodes
• G01N 27/02 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance
• G01N 27/30 - Electrodes, e.g. test electrodesHalf-cells
• G01N 27/38 - Cleaning of electrodes

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrochemical biofilm sensor comprising a first, a second and a third electrode, wherein the first electrode is a working electrode on whose surface the biofilm whose growth is to be measured develops, the second electrode is a reference electrode having the function of providing a stable reference potential for the polarization of the working electrode, the third electrode is a counter-electrode that can be connected to the first electrode through an electric circuit so as to allow the circulation of current from the first electrode to the third electrode or vice versa, a function of the alteration induced by the biofilm on the kinetics of the evolving reactions on the surface of the first electrode. The first electrode and/or the second electrode and/or the third electrode have the characteristic of being coated with a coating based on mixed oxides of different noble metals, such as iridium, ruthenium, platinum, rhodium, tantalum or niobium, and wherein one or more electrodes are made of titanium or tantalum, and wherein the coating has a thickness of between 0. 1 and 50 microns, preferably 2.5 microns ± 10%.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01N 27/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating capacitance
• H01G 9/048 - Electrodes characterised by their structure
• H01G 9/07 - Dielectric layers
• H01G 9/22 - Devices using combined reduction and oxidation, e.g. redox arrangement or solion
• H01G 11/04 - Hybrid capacitors
• H01G 9/28 - Structural combinations of electrolytic capacitors, rectifiers, detectors, switching devices with other electric components not covered by this subclass
• G01N 27/416 - Systems
• G01N 33/18 - Water
• H01G 11/02 - Hybrid capacitors, i.e. capacitors having different positive and negative electrodesElectric double-layer [EDL] capacitorsProcesses for the manufacture thereof or of parts thereof using combined reduction-oxidation reactions, e.g. redox arrangement or solion
• H01G 11/08 - Structural combinations, e.g. assembly or connection, of hybrid or EDL capacitors with other electric components, at least one hybrid or EDL capacitor being the main component
• G01R 27/26 - Measuring inductance or capacitanceMeasuring quality factor, e.g. by using the resonance methodMeasuring loss factorMeasuring dielectric constants