Electrochemical Analysis
Electrochemical Analysis
Electrochemical analysis is a generic term used to describe a variety of analytical methods based on oxidation-reduction (REDOX) reactions in electrolytic solutions. Electrochemical analysis utilizes the principle that electrode potentials and electron transfers occurring during REDOX reactions can be measured, as voltage and current respectively. This provides qualitative and quantitative information on the chemical species present in solution, their concentrations, reaction mechanisms and kinetics. The main parameters that are measured during electrochemical analysis are potential (volts), current (amperes), charge (coulombs) and time (seconds). Usually, three electrodes are immersed in the electrolyte, namely the working, reference and the counter electrodes. These are connected to a potentiostat, for controlling applied voltage and to voltmeter and ammeter as needed. Variable potentials are applied to the working electrode and the resulting currents measured, with respect to time.
Various Electrochemical analysis techniques include voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry, square wave voltammetry, coulometry, chronoamperometry, chronopotentiometry, chronocoulometry, anodic stripping voltammetry, ion-selective electrodes, differential pulse linear sweep voltammetry and electrochemical titrations. Several types of electrode substrates are used in electrochemical experiments depending on the system being studied. Electrode substrate materials include Carbon, Mercury, metallic and non-metallic nanomaterials (Gold nanoparticles, Carbon nanotubes, Graphene. Metal oxides or Metal Sulfide nanomaterials). Electrolytes are aqueous in most applications, but polymeric electrolytes as in battery systems are also analyzed, combining sophisticated polymer characterization techniques with current and voltage measurements.
Electrochemical analysis finds application in many areas including mineral analysis, corrosion analysis, reaction engineering, electrolysis process design, battery design, electrocatalysis research and fuel cell research. It has also been used in neurotransmitter behavior research.
Common Uses of Electrochemical Analysis
- Mineral analysis
- Corrosion engineering
- Reaction engineering.
- Electrolysis engineering
- Battery research
- Electrocatalysis research
- Fuel cell research
- Environmental monitoring
- Neuroscience research
- Pharmaceutical research
Advantages of Electrochemical Analysis
- Qualitative and quantitative analysis possible
- Economical and fast
Limitations of Electrochemical Analysis
- Applicable only to Electrolytic systems
Industrial Applications of Electrochemical Analysis
- Metallurgical
- Geosciences
- Environmental pollution control
- Corrosion control
- Battery systems
- Electrolysis systems
- Fuel cells
- Reactor and process development
- Biomedical
- Pharmaceutical
