Electrodes for pH Sensing Based on Stainless Steel: Mechanism, Surface Modification, Potentiometric Performance, and Prospects

The fabrication of miniaturized and durable pH electrodes is a key requirement for developing advanced analytical devices for both industrial and biomedical applications. Glass electrodes are not an option in these cases. Electrodes based on metal oxides have been the most studied for pH sensing in...

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Main Authors: Javier E. Vilasó-Cadre, Juan Hidalgo, María A. Arada-Pérez, Iván A. Reyes-Domínguez, Graziella L. Turdean, Roel Cruz, Juan J. Piña Leyte-Vidal, Lázaro A. González-Fernández, Manuel Sánchez-Polo, Luis Hidalgo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Chemosensors
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9040/13/5/160
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author Javier E. Vilasó-Cadre
Juan Hidalgo
María A. Arada-Pérez
Iván A. Reyes-Domínguez
Graziella L. Turdean
Roel Cruz
Juan J. Piña Leyte-Vidal
Lázaro A. González-Fernández
Manuel Sánchez-Polo
Luis Hidalgo
author_facet Javier E. Vilasó-Cadre
Juan Hidalgo
María A. Arada-Pérez
Iván A. Reyes-Domínguez
Graziella L. Turdean
Roel Cruz
Juan J. Piña Leyte-Vidal
Lázaro A. González-Fernández
Manuel Sánchez-Polo
Luis Hidalgo
author_sort Javier E. Vilasó-Cadre
collection DOAJ
description The fabrication of miniaturized and durable pH electrodes is a key requirement for developing advanced analytical devices for both industrial and biomedical applications. Glass electrodes are not an option in these cases. Electrodes based on metal oxides have been the most studied for pH sensing in these and other applications. Stainless steel pH electrodes have been an option for many years, both for measurement using steel as a sensitive material and using it as a substrate for the deposition of other metal oxides; in the latter case, the sensitive ability of stainless steel seems to play a crucial role. In addition, recent use as a substrate for materials such as polymers, carbon nanotubes, and metallic nanoparticles should be considered. This paper presents a review of this type of pH electrode, covering aspects related to the sensing mechanism, the treatment of stainless steel, potentiometric performances, applications, and the prospects of these sensors for use in modern analytical instruments. Sensing with the oxide passive layer and the artificial layer by oxidation treatments is analyzed. The use of metal oxides and other materials as the sensitive layer on stainless steel, their application in wearable devices, microneedle sensors, and combination with field-effect transistors for high-temperature pH sensing are covered as the most current and promising applications.
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spelling doaj-art-b0ab6b30db1d49418095d01e9a8e60682025-08-20T02:33:31ZengMDPI AGChemosensors2227-90402025-05-0113516010.3390/chemosensors13050160Electrodes for pH Sensing Based on Stainless Steel: Mechanism, Surface Modification, Potentiometric Performance, and ProspectsJavier E. Vilasó-Cadre0Juan Hidalgo1María A. Arada-Pérez2Iván A. Reyes-Domínguez3Graziella L. Turdean4Roel Cruz5Juan J. Piña Leyte-Vidal6Lázaro A. González-Fernández7Manuel Sánchez-Polo8Luis Hidalgo9Institute of Metallurgy, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí 78 210, MexicoSoós Ernő Water Technology Research and Development Center, University of Pannonia, Zrínyi Miklós St. 18, H-8800 Nagykanizsa, HungaryDepartment of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural and Exact Sciences, Universidad de Oriente, Santiago de Cuba 90 100, CubaInstitute of Metallurgy, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí 78 210, MexicoDepartment of Chemical Engineering, Research Centre of Electrochemistry and Non-Conventional Materials, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, “Babeş-Bolyai” University, Arany Janos St. 11, RO-400028 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaInstitute of Metallurgy, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí 78 210, MexicoDivision of Molecular Biology, Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica A.C. (IPICYT), San Luis Potosí 78 216, MexicoMultidisciplinary Postgraduate Program in Environmental Sciences, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí 78 000, MexicoFaculty of Sciences, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, SpainMaterials Laboratory, Research Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Higher Polytechnic School of Chimborazo (ESPOCH), Riobamba 06001, EcuadorThe fabrication of miniaturized and durable pH electrodes is a key requirement for developing advanced analytical devices for both industrial and biomedical applications. Glass electrodes are not an option in these cases. Electrodes based on metal oxides have been the most studied for pH sensing in these and other applications. Stainless steel pH electrodes have been an option for many years, both for measurement using steel as a sensitive material and using it as a substrate for the deposition of other metal oxides; in the latter case, the sensitive ability of stainless steel seems to play a crucial role. In addition, recent use as a substrate for materials such as polymers, carbon nanotubes, and metallic nanoparticles should be considered. This paper presents a review of this type of pH electrode, covering aspects related to the sensing mechanism, the treatment of stainless steel, potentiometric performances, applications, and the prospects of these sensors for use in modern analytical instruments. Sensing with the oxide passive layer and the artificial layer by oxidation treatments is analyzed. The use of metal oxides and other materials as the sensitive layer on stainless steel, their application in wearable devices, microneedle sensors, and combination with field-effect transistors for high-temperature pH sensing are covered as the most current and promising applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9040/13/5/160pHsensorstainless steelmetal oxideanalytical device
spellingShingle Javier E. Vilasó-Cadre
Juan Hidalgo
María A. Arada-Pérez
Iván A. Reyes-Domínguez
Graziella L. Turdean
Roel Cruz
Juan J. Piña Leyte-Vidal
Lázaro A. González-Fernández
Manuel Sánchez-Polo
Luis Hidalgo
Electrodes for pH Sensing Based on Stainless Steel: Mechanism, Surface Modification, Potentiometric Performance, and Prospects
Chemosensors
pH
sensor
stainless steel
metal oxide
analytical device
title Electrodes for pH Sensing Based on Stainless Steel: Mechanism, Surface Modification, Potentiometric Performance, and Prospects
title_full Electrodes for pH Sensing Based on Stainless Steel: Mechanism, Surface Modification, Potentiometric Performance, and Prospects
title_fullStr Electrodes for pH Sensing Based on Stainless Steel: Mechanism, Surface Modification, Potentiometric Performance, and Prospects
title_full_unstemmed Electrodes for pH Sensing Based on Stainless Steel: Mechanism, Surface Modification, Potentiometric Performance, and Prospects
title_short Electrodes for pH Sensing Based on Stainless Steel: Mechanism, Surface Modification, Potentiometric Performance, and Prospects
title_sort electrodes for ph sensing based on stainless steel mechanism surface modification potentiometric performance and prospects
topic pH
sensor
stainless steel
metal oxide
analytical device
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9040/13/5/160
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