Microelectrode Arrays for Lubricant Studies

A microelectrode array coated with a ionically conducting polyethylene oxide (PEO) film was developed for lubricant studies. With this microarray, the ohmic resistance of the bulk lubricant layer can be reduced considerably. In addition, since all electrodes stay in the conducting PEO medium, stable potentials can be established between the working and the reference electrodes. Lubricant additives, some of which are electrochemically reactive but exist in a poorly conducting medium, the oil‐based lubricant, can then be extracted ( in situ ) into the PEO medium and react at the working electrode. With this device, current originating from two different lubricant additives was measured separately for the first time.