The removal of the polarization errors in low frequency dielectric spectroscopy

Abstract

Electrode polarization error is the biggest problem when measuring the low frequency dielectric properties of electrolytes or suspensions of particles, including cells, in electrolytes. We present a simple and robust method to remove the polarization error, which we demonstrate to work on weak and strong ionic electrolytes as well as on cell suspensions. The method assumes no particular behavior of the electrode polarization impedance; it makes use of the fact that the effect dies out with frequency. The method allows for direct measurement of the polarization impedance, whose behavior with the applied voltages, electrode distance and ionic concentration is investigated.