Design, Fabrication, and Characterization of a Layered Si/Ag/AgCl/KCl Planar Solid-State Reference Electrode

In this article, a novel configuration of a planar solid-state Si/Ag/AgCl/KCl reference electrode was designed and fabricated using different deposition techniques (screen-printing, chronoamperometry, and microdropping). The planar reference electrode was configured in a rectangular form, measuring 40 by 10 mm, through a layer-by-layer assembly process. The electrochemical performance and characteristics of the fabricated reference electrode were tested and compared to those of a commercially saturated Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The open-circuit potential of the fabricated electrode, compared to the commercial one, exhibits excellent stability in various KCl concentrations, reaching an ideal stable and constant value of approximately 0 V in a 3 M KCl solution. Additionally, the potential of the fabricated reference electrode remained stable for 15 days and was unaffected by pH variations. Cyclic voltammetry tests conducted in solutions containing K3[Fe(CN)6] and K4[Fe(CN)6] indicated that the electrochemical behavior of the fabricated electrode was similar to that of the commercial references.