I am running a half-cell battery configuration. I am using carbon paste ( graphite ) as a trace (jumper) because my solution contains bio-materials and carbon is bio-friendly. The carbon paste is coated around the paper as a substrate to solidify the paste. Furthermore, I usually commercial alligator clips to connect the other end of the carbon trace to a digital platform. Usually, my OCV (Open-circuit voltage) is about 0.3 V. However, when the alligator clips touch the bio-materials in the solution the OCV goes to 0.7.

What is causing this:

1- The alligator clips are better conductors than carbon since they are metal.

(does conductivity impact voltage measurement)

OR

2- The clips react with the water content in the solution causing ion-transfer and false readings

I am running a half-cell battery configuration. I am using carbon paste (graphite) as a trace (jumper) because my solution contains bio-materials and carbon is bio-friendly. The carbon paste is coated around the paper as a substrate to solidify the paste. Furthermore, I use commercial alligator clips to connect the other end of the carbon trace to a digital platform. Usually, my open-circuit voltage (OCV) is about 0.3 V. When the alligator clips touch the bio-materials in the solution the OCV goes to 0.7.

What is causing this:

1. The alligator clips are better conductors than carbon since they are metal. (Does conductivity impact voltage measurement?)
2. The clips react with the water content in the solution causing ion-transfer and false readings.