Ion-selective electrodes are an example of which electrochemical method?

Ion-selective electrodes are utilized in potentiometry, which is a method that measures the voltage of an electrochemical cell to determine the concentration of a specific ion in solution. This technique is based on the principle that the potential difference between the ion-selective electrode and a reference electrode is directly related to the activity or concentration of the target ion.

In the case of ion-selective electrodes, each electrode is designed to respond selectively to a particular ion while being relatively insensitive to others. This selectivity is crucial when analyzing complex mixtures, allowing for accurate measurement of specific ion concentrations.

Potentiometry is distinct from other electrochemical methods, as it does not involve the measurement of current (as in amperometry) or the direct involvement of redox reactions (as in polarography and coulometry). Instead, it focuses purely on voltage measurements, making it an ideal choice for applications involving ion concentration determination, such as in clinical laboratory settings for electrolyte analysis.