The effect of sonication on glass electrodes.
This communication describes observations made on the disturbing effect of ultrasound on the functioning of glass electrodes. It was observed that the signal of glass electrodes drops significantly, with as much as several pH units, if sonication is applied to the sample solution. The effect was studied for a variety of electrolyte solutions and for several glass electrode makes, and was always found to be reversible and reproducible. The quality and the concentration of the electrolyte, as well as the ultrasonic power applied were seen to strongly influence the magnitude of the effect. These findings suggests that (i) if a glass electrode is being used to follow chemical reactions in sonicated solutions, irradiation should be intermitted for the time of measurements, and (ii) the phenomenon may provide an alternative method for sensing ultrasound or mapping ultrasound energy distribution.
Galbács
Zoltán
Z
Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Szeged, Dóm tér 7, 6720 Szeged, Hungary.
Langenhove
Herman Van
HV
Galbács
Gábor
G