Electrodes & Sensor Probes

Electrodes & Sensor Probes are essential components for electrochemical testing, materials research, corrosion analysis, electrocatalysis, battery research, environmental monitoring, and sensor development. This category includes electrodes and probes that directly contact the sample, electrolyte, or tested medium.

Products can be selected according to electrode function, material, geometry, measurement parameter, sample type, mounting method, operating environment, and instrument connection. The collection is suitable for laboratory research, quality control, process monitoring, and customized electrochemical applications.

This category focuses on electrodes and sensor probes themselves. Electrochemical instruments and software, electrochemical cells and reactors, consumables and spare parts, and experimental accessories should be organized under their corresponding categories.

Show More About Electrodes & Sensor Probes

Product Range

Product Category Main Product Types Typical Applications
Working Electrodes Glassy carbon, graphite, carbon paste, gold, platinum, silver, palladium, copper, iron, nickel, cobalt, titanium, tungsten, zinc, aluminum, stainless steel, carbon steel, and other metal electrodes Cyclic voltammetry, materials research, electrocatalysis, corrosion studies, and sensor development
Counter / Auxiliary Electrodes Platinum wire, plate, mesh and coil electrodes; gold wire and plate electrodes; graphite rods; glassy carbon and large-area auxiliary electrodes Completing the current circuit in three-electrode testing, electrodeposition, electrocatalysis, and battery research
Reference Electrodes Ag/AgCl, saturated calomel, double-junction, refillable, maintenance-free, miniature, organic-solvent, and special-environment reference electrodes Providing a stable potential reference for electrochemical measurements
Combination Electrodes pH, ORP, ion-selective, and temperature-compensated combination probes Simplified installation for routine laboratory and field measurements
pH Probes Standard, micro-volume, semi-micro, flat-surface, piercing, high-temperature, high-viscosity, and low-ionic-strength pH electrodes Acidity and alkalinity measurement
ORP Probes Platinum ORP electrodes, gold ORP electrodes, and combination oxidation-reduction potential probes Redox monitoring, water treatment, chemical processing, and laboratory analysis
Ion-Selective Electrodes Fluoride, chloride, calcium, nitrate, ammonium, sodium, potassium, and metal-ion selective electrodes Selective ion concentration or activity measurement
Conductivity Probes Two-electrode, four-electrode, low-conductivity, high-conductivity, immersion, and flow-through conductivity probes Solution conductivity, water quality, and process-liquid monitoring
Dissolved Oxygen Probes Polarographic, galvanic, membrane-type, miniature, immersion, and flow-through dissolved oxygen probes Water, culture media, fermentation, and environmental sample analysis
Specialty Electrodes Microelectrodes, printed electrodes, transparent conductive electrodes, rotating disk electrodes, rotating ring-disk electrodes, thin-film electrodes, and electrode arrays Microanalysis, portable sensing, electrocatalysis, photoelectrochemistry, thin-film research, and high-throughput testing

Electrode Materials

Material Family Key Characteristics Common Uses
Glassy Carbon Stable conductive surface that can be polished and renewed Voltammetry, sensors, electrocatalysis, and materials research
Graphite Available in rod, plate, and large-area formats Counter electrodes, working electrodes, and general electrochemical testing
Carbon Paste Refillable and surface-renewable electrode material Chemical sensors, ion detection, and surface modification
Gold Stable metal surface suitable for functionalization Biosensors, surface chemistry, thin films, and electrochemical detection
Platinum Good conductivity and chemical stability Counter electrodes, ORP measurements, electrocatalysis, and demanding tests
Engineering Metals Copper, iron, nickel, cobalt, titanium, tungsten, aluminum, zinc, cadmium, lead, stainless steel, and carbon steel Corrosion, electrodeposition, battery materials, structural-metal research, and applied electrochemistry
Transparent Conductive Materials ITO, FTO, and other transparent conductive substrates Photoelectrochemistry, semiconductors, thin films, and solar-energy materials

Geometry and Mounting Options

Format Product Characteristics Suitable Applications
Disk Electrodes Clearly defined exposed area and controlled surface geometry Voltammetry, electrocatalysis, and surface-reaction studies
Rod Electrodes Robust structure and larger active surface options Graphite, glassy carbon, and auxiliary electrodes
Wire Electrodes Can be configured as coils, meshes, or miniature electrodes Counter electrodes, microelectrodes, and custom assemblies
Plate and Mesh Electrodes Larger surface area for sample contact and current distribution Electrodeposition, electrocatalysis, and high-current testing
PTFE-Sealed Electrodes Insulated body and protected electrical connection Routine immersion electrochemistry
L-Shaped and T-Shaped Electrodes Designed for special positioning and limited-access cells Custom cells, fixtures, and narrow working spaces
Magnetic Electrodes Quick attachment, removal, and repeatable positioning Modular testing and rapid electrode exchange
Detachable Electrodes Replaceable electrode heads or renewable working surfaces Long-term testing, surface maintenance, and multi-material experiments
Clip-Style Electrodes Secure contact with sheets, foils, films, and irregular samples Direct sample testing and non-standard specimens
Flow-Through Probes Designed for pipeline, flow-cell, or continuous monitoring installation Online testing and process monitoring

Sensor Probe Selection

Measurement Suitable Probes Important Selection Factors
pH Glass-membrane pH electrodes, flat pH electrodes, piercing pH electrodes, and pH combination electrodes Sample volume, viscosity, temperature, contamination risk, and calibration method
ORP Platinum ORP electrodes, gold ORP electrodes, and ORP combination probes Medium composition, redox conditions, reference system, and temperature
Ion Concentration Ion-selective electrodes, ISE half-cells, and ISE combination electrodes Target ion, measurement range, interfering ions, and reference electrode
Conductivity Two-electrode, four-electrode, immersion, and flow-through conductivity probes Cell constant, measurement range, temperature compensation, and installation method
Dissolved Oxygen Polarographic, galvanic, membrane-type, miniature, immersion, and flow-through probes Membrane type, maintenance, temperature compensation, pressure, and flow rate

Specialty Electrodes

Product Family Main Features Application Areas
Microelectrodes Small active areas and low sample requirements Microfluidics, cells, local corrosion, and microenvironment research
Printed Electrodes Suitable for batch production and disposable testing Portable testing, food safety, and biosensors
Rotating Disk Electrodes Controlled mass transfer through rotation Electrocatalysis, reaction kinetics, and transport studies
Rotating Ring-Disk Electrodes Allows investigation of reaction intermediates and secondary reactions Catalytic mechanisms and reaction pathway analysis
Transparent Conductive Electrodes Supports simultaneous optical and electrochemical testing Photoelectrochemistry, semiconductors, and solar-energy materials
Electrode Arrays Multiple channels for parallel or high-throughput measurement Sensor chips, microfluidics, and multi-point analysis
Custom Electrodes Custom materials, geometry, dimensions, connection, and mounting Specialized cells, dedicated instruments, and non-standard samples

Typical Applications

Application Area Recommended Product Types
General Electrochemical Testing Working electrodes, reference electrodes, counter electrodes, and combination electrodes
Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy Stable working electrodes, reference electrodes, and counter electrodes
Corrosion and Protection Metal working electrodes, stainless steel, carbon steel, and reference electrodes
Electrocatalysis Glassy carbon, platinum, gold, rotating disk, and rotating ring-disk electrodes
Battery and Energy Materials Metal electrodes, plate electrodes, sample clips, current-contact electrodes, and auxiliary electrodes
Water and Environmental Testing pH, ORP, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen probes
Ion Analysis Ion-selective electrodes and compatible reference electrodes
Biosensor and Chemical Sensor Development Gold, platinum, glassy carbon, printed, modified-surface, and array electrodes
Photoelectrochemical Research ITO, FTO, transparent conductive, thin-film, and coated electrodes

Selection Checklist

Selection Item What to Confirm
Measurement Parameter Current, potential, impedance, pH, ORP, ion concentration, conductivity, or dissolved oxygen
Electrode Function Working, counter, reference, combination electrode, or sensor probe
Material Glassy carbon, graphite, gold, platinum, silver, engineering metal, or transparent conductive material
Active Dimensions Disk diameter, exposed area, wire diameter, length, thickness, and insertion depth
Sample Type Liquid, suspension, thin film, metal sheet, foil, solid, or semi-solid sample
Mounting Method Immersion, clip-style, magnetic, flow-through, threaded, flange-mounted, or custom installation
Operating Environment Temperature, pressure, pH, solvent, salt concentration, and corrosive conditions
Instrument Connection BNC, banana plug, alligator clip, coaxial connection, dedicated connector, or custom cable
Maintenance Cleaning, polishing, electrolyte refilling, membrane replacement, electrode-head replacement, or calibration
Customization Material, shape, dimensions, cable length, connector, active area, and mounting structure

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a working electrode, reference electrode, and counter electrode?

The working electrode is where the primary electrochemical reaction occurs. The reference electrode provides a stable potential reference, while the counter electrode completes the current circuit.

Should I use a two-electrode or three-electrode system?

Three-electrode systems are commonly used for electrochemical research involving electrode reactions, potential control, or impedance measurements. Batteries, conductivity measurements, and some sensor applications may use two-electrode or integrated probes.

How should I choose between a glassy carbon electrode and a platinum electrode?

Glassy carbon is commonly used for voltammetry, materials research, electrocatalysis, and sensor development. Platinum is often selected for counter electrodes, ORP measurements, electrocatalysis, and applications requiring a stable conductive surface. The electrolyte and target reaction should also be considered.

Can a pH electrode be used as an ORP electrode?

No. A pH electrode measures acidity or alkalinity using a pH-sensitive glass membrane, while an ORP electrode measures oxidation-reduction potential using a suitable inert metal surface. Their measurement principles and constructions are different.

How do I choose the correct electrode size?

Confirm the required active area, electrochemical cell space, sample volume, immersion depth, and distance between electrodes. A larger electrode is not always better because it may require more sample volume or produce a different current response.

Why should I check the cell constant when buying a conductivity probe?

The cell constant affects the measurement range and the conversion of the electrical signal into conductivity. Low-conductivity, high-conductivity, and concentrated solutions may require different cell constants.

Does a pH electrode require calibration?

Yes. A pH electrode should generally be calibrated with suitable standard buffer solutions before use, after long-term storage, when changing sample types, or whenever the readings become unstable.

Why does a reference electrode show drifting readings?

Possible causes include a clogged liquid junction, insufficient filling solution, contamination, incorrect storage, aging, or damage to the reference electrode. Inspecting the filling solution and liquid junction is a useful first step.

Do dissolved oxygen probes require membrane replacement?

Some electrochemical dissolved oxygen probes require periodic membrane or internal electrolyte replacement. Maintenance requirements depend on the probe construction, sample type, temperature, and frequency of use.

Can I use an electrode with a different connector?

Not always. The connector, cable, pin configuration, shielding, signal type, and instrument input must all be compatible. Confirm the instrument model and electrode connection before ordering.

Can one electrode be used with different samples?

Some general-purpose electrodes can be reused after suitable cleaning, but cross-contamination and surface adsorption must be considered. Dedicated electrodes are recommended for trace analysis, biological samples, and high-accuracy measurements.

When should an electrode be replaced?

Replacement may be required when response becomes slow, readings drift, calibration fails, the active surface is damaged, the liquid junction is blocked, or performance does not recover after cleaning and maintenance.

What should I do if I cannot find a standard electrode size?

Custom solutions may be available for special materials, active areas, shapes, body dimensions, cable lengths, connectors, and mounting structures. Provide the measurement method, sample type, operating medium, required dimensions, and instrument interface when making an inquiry.

Showing 177–192 of 197 results