Pulsed and square wave voltammetry

Digital voltammetry waveforms – staircase used to approximate a ramp for LSV; All modern potentiostats use this approach, also easy to use other input waveforms All sorts of pulsed voltammetry methods were developed in 1950-60s by Sir Geoffrey Barker in UK, and later 1970-80s modernized by Janet and Bob Osteryoung in the US

Basis of all pulsed methods: Response of reversible system to a potential pulse; Measuemenst at end of pulse discriminates against charging current E 60 ms time measurement Faradaic I Charging (decays faster)

Normal Pulsed Voltammetry (simplest) DL about 15-fold lower than cyclic voltammetry (CV) Input waveform output

Input waveforms output Normal pulse voltammetry Differential Pulse voltammetry Ep nM detection limits

Square Wave Voltammetry – complex waveform, derivative output most sensitive instrumental electrochemical method Input waveform Ep nM detection limits; Slightly better than Differential pulse output

SWV outputs Net or difference current Forward Current Reverse current

NPV SWV difference current I x 1000 O1 + e == R1 R1 + e == R2 Better resolution, Best sensitivity

SWV Output Net or difference current forward reverse

SWV parameters - increasing frequency (effect of DE is similar)

Approx DL NPV 10-6 M/n DPV 2x10-9 M/n SCV or LSV (CV) 5x10-5 M/n SWV 10-9 M/n