The purpose of this research is to evaluate three polymer electroding techniques in developing a novel in situ sensor for
an RO system using the electrical response of a thin film composite sensor. Electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)
was used to measure the sensor response when exposed to sodium chloride solutions with concentrations from 0.1 M to
0.8 M in both single and double bath configurations. An insulated carbon grease sensor was mechanically stable while a
composite Direct Assembly Process (DAP) sensor was fragile upon hydration. Scanning electron microscopy results
from an impregnation-reduction technique showed gold nanoparticles were deposited most effectively when presoaked
in a potassium hydroxide solution and on an uncoated membrane; surface resistances remained too high for sensor
implementation. Through thickness carbon grease sensors showed a transient response to changes in concentration, and
no meaningful concentration sensitivity was noted for the time scales over which EIS measurements were taken. Surface
carbon grease electrodes attached to the polyamide thin film were not sensitive to concentration. The impedance spectra
indicated the carbon grease sensor was unable to detect changes in concentration in double bath experiments when
implemented with the polyamide surface exposed to salt solutions. DAP sensors lacked a consistent response to changes
in concentration too. A reverse double bath experiment with the polysulfone layer exposed to a constant concentration
exhibited a transient impedance response similar to through thickness carbon grease sensors in a single bath at constant
concentration. These results suggest that the microporous polysulfone layer is responsible for sensor response to
concentration.
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