Ag/AgCl ion-selective electrodes in neutral and alkaline environments containing interfering ions

Chloride ingress can lead to serious degradation of various materials and structures. Continuous measurements of local chloride concentrations is thus of uttermost importance for laboratory research, monitoring of structures, and predictions of the residual life span for the most common building materials. This work investigates the applicability of Ag/AgCl ion-selective electrodes for the non-destructive continuous measurement of local chloride concentrations in concrete and stone when exposed to chloride-bearing environments such as seawater. The work studies the stability of Ag/AgCl ion-selective electrodes in neutral and alkaline solutions and the sensitivity to the main interfering ions coming from the environment and from the material itself. The results indicate negligible interference from fluoride, sulfate, and hydroxide but considerable from bromide and sulfide. In chloride-free alkaline solutions, Ag/AgCl ion-selective electrodes are not stable over time, but – upon chloride arrival – they permit again reliable measurements of the chloride concentration. The results concerning interference are discussed by taking into account typical exposure environments and it is concluded that the ion-selective electrodes can satisfactorily be used to monitor chloride concentrations in built structures made out of concrete or stone.