Electrolyte increases life on oxygen sensors in a polarograph used for measuring the partial pressure of oxygen in a gas mixture. It consists of a solution of lithium chloride, dimethyl acetamide and water

Albright, C. F.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

January 1967	 Brief 67-10003 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs are issued to summarize specific innovations derived from the U.S. space program, 
to encourage their commercial application. Copies are available to the public at 15 cents each 
from the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
New Electrolyte May Increase Life of Polarographic Oxygen Sensors 
The problem: 
To provide an electrolyte that would not degrade 
the sensors (electrodes) in a polarograph used for 
measuring the partial pressure of oxygen in a gas 
mixture. Conventional electrolytes consisting of aque-
ous potassium chloride dehydrate at a relatively high 
rate, with consequent degradation of the sensors. 
The solution: 
Use an electrolyte consisting of a solution of the 
following components in percent by weight: lithium 
chloride, 25; dimethyl acetamide (or dimethyl forma-
mide), 5; and water, 70. This electrolyte has a rela-
tively low vapor pressure at ordinary temperatures and 
either absorbs moisture from the atmosphere or 
dehydrates at a very low rate, depending on the 
relative humidity. The second solvent (dimethyl acet-
amide or dimethyl formamide) decreases the surface
tension of the electrolyte and thereby promotes com-
plete wetting of the electrodes. 
Notes: 
1. The electrolyte may be thickened or gelled with 
commercially available gelling agents. 
2. This development is in the conceptual stage only, 
and as of the date of publication of this Tech 
Brief, neither a model nor prototype has been 
constructed. 
Patent status: 
Inquiries about obtaining rights for the commercial 
use of this invention may be made to NASA, Code 
GP, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Source: Charles F. Albright
of The Garrett Corporation,
under contract to
Manned Spacecraft Center
(MSC-1049) 
Category 03 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States 	 will be free from privately owned rights.
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New electrolyte may increase life of polarographic oxygen sensors

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