New reference electrodes have been developed and tested by a solid state contact method. The performance was demonstrated at ambient temperature with polycrystalline powders from tungsten-substituted alkali molybdenum bronzes with the general formula A(x)Mo(1-y)W(y)O(3). These electrodes show no significant response to the changing of pH, cation concentration and redox potential of the measuring solution. Therefore, it is possible to use them as reference electrode for electrochemical measurements. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.