Electrochemical sensor Cr(vi) in Welding Environment

Introduction of Electrochemical sensor

• Basically used for detection of oxygen and toxic gases.

• It uses the oxidation and reduction reactions of the gases for detection.
• This all is done under one external circuit in which Three electrodes are there,
namely Working electrode, Counter electrode, and reference electrode in
addition with this there is liquid electrolyte.
• Oxidation or Reduction reaction occurs which causes current flow proportional to
gas concentration.
Introduction to Cr(vi) and Cr(iii)

• Hexavalent Chromium - Highly toxic causes respiratory problems, damage to

kidney, liver.
• Trivalent Chromium – Non toxic and comes under essential nutrients for Sugar
and insulin
Need of Electrochemical sensor in Welding Environment

• While doing welding, solid fumes are produces in nearby environment

which can cause health problems to the welder.
• The solid fumes are generally Cr(vi) particles which is toxic for human
being.
• The amount of this particles should be calculated which is normally
done in laboratories but sometimes this particles Cr(vi) gets reduced to
Cr(iii) because of temperature difference or exposed to water vapours.
• So there is need of sensor which will calculate the amount of Cr(vi)
particles simultaneously while doing welding, which can be done by
Electrochemical sensor.
Methods of detection
• There are lots of methods for the detection of Cr(vi) particles but
from that two methods are effective which are Potentiometric and
Potentiostatic.
• Potentiometric uses static or zero current method in ion selective
membrane.
• While Potentiostatic method uses dynamic method in which oxidation
and reduction reaction occurs at electrode interface.
• Potentiostatic method is having more advantages than other such as
high sensitivity, portable and low cost.
Potentiostatic method

• It uses the dynamic current flow method at the electrode interface.

• That is why the selection of the suitable electrode with better
advantages is important.
• Electrodes are Mercury based electrodes, Carbon electrodes, Gold
electrodes and many more.
• From which Mercury based electrodes have good advantages.
Discussion

• From this we understand the methods of detection of Cr(vi) in

welding environment and we think potentiostatic method would be
the best method for the detection.