We found in some references that double junction SCE electrodes are used. Our supplier recommended SCE with a ceramic junction. However, some researchers widely employ a Ag wire as pseudo-reference electrode to prevent electrolyte contamination. The environment is non-aqueous. Any well fundamented or referenced recommendations are welcome.
I have used Ag wire / AgTFSI in TFSI ionic liquid (which was the solvent of my sample) to eliminate contamination by the anion. I didn't care about the Ag+ contamination and don't know how important it is.
I prefer, a polished platinum wire and can be calibrated with a Fc/Fc+. In one my recent work (Nanoscale, 2014, 6, 10332–10339), we used this method where the electrolyte was AN/LiClO4. I feel this method is much simpler and reliable
Thanks Bihag. I will look into that one. I am not in favour of the Ag option as I we do care about contamination with Ag+ (we want to achieve a one pot high purity synthesis there). With a Pt wire indeed I would not be worried about contamination but perhaps about some catalytic effects?
Dear Xochitl
yes there are catalytic effect between Platinum wire and some organic electrolytes. We got a higher stability with Pd or Ir wire electrodes, as these metals are not as active as Pt
I'm contributing a little late to the party, but this should be a tremendous help, haven't gotten around to trying it myself.
PTFE bound activated carbon—A quasi-reference electrode for ionic liquids
Electrochemistry Communications 18 (2012) 116–118
You can use Pt or Ag wire as quasi reference electrode which gives good results without the possibility of contamination.
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