A combination electrode includes a working electrode, a reference electrode, a hydrogel diaphragm, an outer tube and an inner tube. The working electrode is disposed in the inner tube. The reference electrode is disposed in a reference chamber formed between the inner tube and the outer tube. The hydrogel diaphragm seals the opening between an end of the outer tube and the inner tube when the hydrogel swells upon coming in contact with a first electrically conductive fluid that is introduced into the reference chamber. The diaphragm is coupled to the reference electrode in an electrically conductive manner through the first electrically conductive fluid, which contacts both the reference electrode and the diaphragm. The inner tube is closed by a glass membrane that is coupled to the working electrode in an electrically conductive manner through a second electrically conductive fluid that contacts both the glass membrane and the working electrode.

In a reference electrode for the potentiometric measurement of ion concentrations, comprising a swellable polymer body filled with at least one electrolyte salt and a potential sensing element of the second type located in the polymer body, preferably of the Ag/AgCl type, the polymer body is composed of preferably organic, hydrophobic prepolymer segments, which are three-dimensionally crosslinked by preferably organic, hydrophilic polymer chains.

In a reference electrode for the potentiometric measurement of ion concentrations, comprising a swellable polymer body filled with at least one electrolyte salt and a potential sensing element of the second type located in the polymer body, preferably of the Ag/AgCl type, the polymer body is composed of preferably organic, hydrophobic prepolymer segments, which are three-dimensionally crosslinked by preferably organic, hydrophilic polymer chains.

A reference electrode according to the present invention maintains continuity between an internal solution and measurement sample and measures the electrical potential of the measurement sample even if the measurement sample in a liquid junction of the reference electrode has air bubbles mixed therein. This reference electrode is provided with: a second body provided with a second internal solution chamber in which a second internal solution is housed and a liquid junction portion disposed in the second internal solution chamber such that the second internal solution and measurement sample that is to be measured come into contact; and an internal electrode disposed inside the second internal solution. The liquid junction portion is formed from a conduction component formed from a porous or fibrous component and an aperture adjacent to the conduction component.

A reference electrode according to the present invention maintains continuity between an internal solution and measurement sample and measures the electrical potential of the measurement sample even if the measurement sample in a liquid junction of the reference electrode has air bubbles mixed therein. This reference electrode is provided with: a second body provided with a second internal solution chamber in which a second internal solution is housed and a liquid junction portion disposed in the second internal solution chamber such that the second internal solution and measurement sample that is to be measured come into contact; and an internal electrode disposed inside the second internal solution. The liquid junction portion is formed from a conduction component formed from a porous or fibrous component and an aperture adjacent to the conduction component.

A reference electrode system for a pH-sensor system includes: a first junction having a membrane with a sealed side; a reference electrode, the reference electrode and/or an electrically conducting wire of the reference electrode being covered completely except for an end portion of the reference electrode, by a sleeve; and a tube that is arranged, at least partly, around the reference electrode, the electrically conducting wire, and the sleeve, the tube having a closed end which is arranged near the end portion of the reference electrode.

A reference electrode which is stable over a wide range of temperatures, pressures and chemical conditions is provided. The subject reference electrode according to the present invention comprises a tubular enclosure composed of quartz having a distal, closed end and a proximal, open end. An insulating ceramic rod is seemingly connected to the opening in the closed distal end of the enclosure to form micro-cracks between the ceramic rod and the quartz enclosure (called a cracked junction, CJ). The CJ gives a very tortuous path for ion conduction from inside the reference electrode (RE) to a working electrode (WE). Inside the tubular enclosure is an electrical lead (e.g., a silver wire) disposed in an electrolyte comprising a mixture of alkaline metal salts (e.g., AgCl and KCl), extending from the electrolyte upward through a sealing means at the proximal end of the quartz enclosure.

A reference electrode which is stable over a wide range of temperatures, pressures and chemical conditions is provided. The subject reference electrode according to the present invention comprises a tubular enclosure composed of quartz having a distal, closed end and a proximal, open end. An insulating ceramic rod is seemingly connected to the opening in the closed distal end of the enclosure to form micro-cracks between the ceramic rod and the quartz enclosure (called a cracked junction, CJ). The CJ gives a very tortuous path for ion conduction from inside the reference electrode (RE) to a working electrode (WE). Inside the tubular enclosure is an electrical lead (e.g., a silver wire) disposed in an electrolyte comprising a mixture of alkaline metal salts (e.g., AgCl and KCl), extending from the electrolyte upward through a sealing means at the proximal end of the quartz enclosure.

A reference electrode which is stable over a wide range of temperatures, pressures and chemical conditions is provided. The subject reference electrode according to the present invention comprises a tubular enclosure composed of quartz having a distal, closed end and a proximal, open end. An insulating ceramic rod is seemingly connected to the opening in the closed distal end of the enclosure to form micro-cracks between the ceramic rod and the quartz enclosure (called a cracked junction, CJ). The CJ gives a very tortuous path for ion conduction from inside the reference electrode (RE) to a working electrode (WE). Inside the tubular enclosure is an electrical lead (e.g., a silver wire) disposed in an electrolyte comprising a mixture of alkaline metal salts (e.g., AgCl and KCl), extending from the electrolyte upward through a sealing means at the proximal end of the quartz enclosure.

A reference electrode which is stable over a wide range of temperatures, pressures and chemical conditions is provided. The subject reference electrode according to the present invention comprises a tubular enclosure composed of quartz having a distal, closed end and a proximal, open end. An insulating ceramic rod is seemingly connected to the opening in the closed distal end of the enclosure to form micro-cracks between the ceramic rod and the quartz enclosure (called a cracked junction, CJ). The CJ gives a very tortuous path for ion conduction from inside the reference electrode (RE) to a working electrode (WE). Inside the tubular enclosure is an electrical lead (e.g., a silver wire) disposed in an electrolyte comprising a mixture of alkaline metal salts (e.g., AgCl and KCl), extending from the electrolyte upward through a sealing means at the proximal end of the quartz enclosure.