Low-Cost Potentiometric Sensor for Chloride Measurement in Continuous Industrial Process Control

Recently, the new updates in legislation about drinking water control and human health have increased the demand for novel electrochemical low-cost sensors, such as potentiometric ones. Nowadays, the determination of chloride ion in aqueous solutions has attracted great attention in several fields, from industrial processes to drinking water control. Indeed, chloride plays a crucial role in corrosion, also influencing the final taste of beverages, especially coffee. The main goal is to obtain devices suitable for continuous and real-time analysis. For these reasons, we investigated the possibility to develop an easy, low-cost potentiometric chloride sensor, able to perform analysis in aqueous mediums for long immersion time and reducing the need of periodic calibration. We realized a chloride ion selective electrode made of Ag/AgCl sintered pellet and we tested its response in model solutions compatible with drinking water. The sensor was able to produce a stable, reproducible, and accurate quantification of chloride in 900 s, without the need for a preliminary calibration test. This opens the route to potential applications of this sensor in continuous, in situ, and real time measurement of chloride ions in industrial processes, with a reduced need for periodic maintenance.

Automated summary

The legislation updates on drinking water control and human health have resulted in an increased demand for novel electrochemical low-cost sensors, particularly potentiometric ones. The development of an easy, low-cost potentiometric chloride sensor capable of continuous and real-time analysis has been investigated. The sensor, made of Ag/AgCl sintered pellet, demonstrated stable, reproducible, and accurate quantification of chloride in aqueous solutions compatible with drinking water, without the need for periodic calibration. This research opens up potential applications for the sensor in continuous, in situ, and real-time measurement of chloride ions in industrial processes, reducing the need for periodic maintenance.