Non-linear electrochemical oscillator and sensor using the same

摘要

To obtain a stable non-linear oscillator using polypyrrole, KCl liquid electrolyte is separated with a working electrode 14 provided with a polypyrrole film 14a. A counter electrode 16 is provided on one of the separated portions of the liquid electrolyte, and a reference electrode 12 is provided in the other separated liquid electrode portion. The counter electrode 16, working electrode 14 and reference electrode 12 are connected to a potentiostat 10. The potential on the working electrode 14 is set to be between the oxidizing and reducing potentials of polypyrrole. With oxidizing or reducing reaction of polypyrrole, an ion concentration gradient is produced in the liquid electrolyte across polypyrrole film to change the potentials on the reference and working electrodes 12 and 14, thus causing an oscillating current between the working and counter electrodes 14 and 16.