Meaning
Sensing component that uses a fixed chemical environment to provide a stable electrical potential within a non liquid electrolyte system. A solid state reference electrode allows for the individual monitoring of anode and cathode behavior in ceramic or polymer batteries. It eliminates the leakage and contamination risks associated with traditional liquid filled reference systems.
Material Choice
Stable metal alloys or mixed ionic electronic conductors are typically used to form the sensing tip. The choice of a solid state reference electrode depends on the compatibility with the surrounding solid electrolyte. For sulfide based systems, the electrode must be chemically inert to avoid the formation of high resistance secondary phases.
Interface Contact
Maintaining a consistent ionic path between the reference and the main electrolyte requires high manufacturing pressure. This solid state reference electrode must be integrated into the cell stack without creating voids.
Measurement Precision
Thermal fluctuations can induce voltage errors if the temperature coefficient of the material is not well characterized. Incorporating a solid state reference electrode into a test cell provides the data needed to optimize the charging protocols for new chemistries. This tool provides the mechanism for identifying which electrode limits the fast charge capability of the device.
