Patent attributes
This invention provides an assembly comprising a sensing electrode and a counter electrode in contact with a membrane body formed from a solid polymer electrolyte system comprising a fluorinated polymer matrix and a charge carrying component which is dispersed in the matrix the electrodes and membrane being housed in a housing having a gas diffusion barrier through which gas may flow. The charge carrying components are fluorinated organic proton conductors (such as heptadecafluorooctane sulphonic acid, bis-trifluoromethane sulphonamide, N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)-1,1,1-trifluoromethane sulphonamide, N-benzyltrifluoromethane sulphonamide and N, N-1,2-cyclohexanediylbis (1,1,1-trifluoromethane sulphonamide)). The polymer matrix is a homopolymer or copolymer of vinylidene fluoride preferably with fluorinated comonomers. The solid polymer electrolyte system preferably contains plasticising additive(s) and is cast as a coating onto one or more electrodes eg. Platinum gas diffusion electrodes forming an assembly for use in a gas sensor especially a CO sensor.