Veena Mitra

Enrollment number: MITU18BTBI0031

TY Bioengineering

BM 502 Microcontrollers and Bioelectronics

Module 5: Introduction to Bioelectronics

TOPIC: Solid electrolyte junctions: Electrode-Electrolytic interfaces

1) Slide 1:
Introduction:
▪ In order to measure and record potentials (currents) in the body, Electrode-Electrolyte
interface is provided between the body and the electronic measuring apparatus.
▪ Bio potential electrode is a transducer that converts the ionic current in the body to
electronic current flowing in the electrode.
▪ Current in the body is carried by ions ,whereas it is carried by electrons in the
electrodes and lead wires.
▪ Electrodes change an ionic current into an electronic current.

2) Slide 2:
Electrode-Electrolyte interface:
A net current (I) that crosses the interface passing from the electrode to electrolyte
consists of:
1. Electron(e-) moving in opposite direction of current in electrode
2. Cations(C+) moving in same direction of current in electrolyte
3. Anions(A-) moving in opposite direction of current in electrolyte
Electrode consists of metallic atom C
Electrolyte consists of cations C+ and anions A-

pg. 1
Veena Mitra
Enrollment number: MITU18BTBI0031
TY Bioengineering

3) Slide 3:
Half-cell reaction:
• In the electrode-electrolyte interface, there are two reactions taking place,
Oxidation and Reduction reaction.
• Oxidation reaction causes the electrode metal atom to lose electron whereas,
• Reduction reaction causes the electrode metal atom to gain electron.
• Oxidation is dominant when current flow is from electrode to electrolyte
Whereas,
• Reduction is dominant when current flow is from electrolyte to electrode.

4) Slide 4:
Polarizable and non-polarizable electrodes:

1. Perfectly polarizable electrode

• No charge crosses the electrode-electrolyte interface when current is applied.
• Current across interface is displacement current.
• These type of electrodes behave like a capacitor.
• Example: Platinum electrode
• Application: Platinum electrode used in Stimulation.

2. Perfectly non-polarizable electrode

• Current passes freely across the electrode-electrolyte interface.
• No energy required to make the transition of current
• No overpotentials are seen in these types of electrode
• Example : Ag/AgCl Electrode
• Application: Ag/AgCl Electrode used in recording.

pg. 2
Veena Mitra
Enrollment number: MITU18BTBI0031
TY Bioengineering

5) Slide 5:
Electrode behavior and circuit model:
• Rd and Cd make up the impedance (total resistance in circuit) associated with
electrode-electrolyte interface and polarization effects.
• Rs is associated with interface effects and due to resistance in the electrolyte.
• Ehc is the half cell potential.

pg. 3