The ability to measure inorganic ions in unknown samples is an important first step in planetary science missions as inorganic ions contribute to our understanding of the broader chemical environment, and can potentially interfere with analytical protocols. Ion selective electrodes (ISEs) are simple, low-cost sensors with a large dynamic range, minimal power requirements, and few interferences. These attributes make them ideal for analyzing soluble inorganic ions in planetary science where power, cost, and mass must be minimized and samples are of mostly unknown composition. ISEs are a proven technology for planetary science missions with demonstrated success during the 2007 Phoenix Lander mission as part of the Wet Chemistry Lab (WCL) electrochemical sensor array. WCL successfully determined the pH, primary cation concentrations, and were the first to detect perchlorate in the Martian regolith, changing our understanding of the Martian surface. Advancements in the field of ISEs since the launch of Phoenix have led to the development of solid-contact (SC) ISEs which use the large double layer capacitance of carbon nanomaterials to replace the redox mediated transduction mechanism of heritage ISEs. We are testing different solid contact layers to develop the next generation of ISEs for planetary science applications.

Solid contact ion selective electrodes for planetary science applications

2019 Spring National Meeting

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