Boosting Stability and Sensing Range in Electrodeposited Iridium Oxide pH Sensors

Electrodeposited iridium oxide (IrOx) pH sensors are gaining interest in numerous biomedical applications, attributed to their superior accuracy, straightforward fabrication, and compatibility with other microfabrication processes. However, the pH sensing range and stability of these sensors have been long-entrenched challenges to control. In this study, we explored the sensor’s behavior under pH conditions beyond its typical sensing range, unearthing potential correlations between the sensing range and other influential factors. Based on these findings, we proposed and implemented a practical method to manipulate the sensing range to designated pH regions. This methodology significantly expanded the sensor’s applicability to encompass extreme acidic or basic environments. A series of investigations revealed that, under such severe conditions, the sensor’s stability—as quantified by drift—could be enhanced more than tenfold posttreatment. Moreover, other stability metrics, including linearity and hysteresis, exhibited notable improvements through this technique, as validated by titration tests in the extended pH sensing ranges. This research offers meaningful insights and a promising approach to enhance the sensing range and stability of electrodeposited IrOx pH sensors, thereby potentially progressing their practical application in biomedical domains.