A thin-film electrochemical sensor electrode capable of electrolytic conductivity, cyclic voltammetry, and temperature measurements of electrolyte solutions has been fabricated and characterized. The electrode fabrication and calibration is detailed, showing accuracies of ±
There is currently a large effort to increase the energy density of batteries and electrochemical double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) for applications ranging from electronics to powering vehicles. While developing higher voltage and high-capacity electrodes is necessary to increase the energy density of batteries, it is generally accepted that the electrolyte limits the adoption of these new electrodes [1–4]. Similarly, the electrolyte breakdown can limit the maximum voltage and energy density of an electrochemical double-layer capacitor [5–7]. In addition to developing a wider potential electrolyte, the electrolytic conductivity must also be high enough for the device to deliver suitable power. Lastly, the potential window and conductivity of electrolytes over a broad range of temperatures are important parameters in determining the end performance of a device. These measurements are frequently performed separately with different equipments [3, 7–9], however, having a single measurement electrode to measure both the potential window and conductivity without the need for different measurement apparatus would be a useful tool to quickly collect data on a number of electrolyte solutions.
