Potenciostática

Potenciostática refers to a method used in electrochemistry where the potential of an electrode is held constant while the current flowing through the electrochemical cell is monitored. This technique is implemented using an instrument called a potentiostat. A potentiostat controls the potential difference between a working electrode and a reference electrode, ensuring it remains at a predetermined value. The current that flows between the working electrode and a counter electrode is then measured as a function of this applied potential.

The primary application of potentiostatic methods is in the study of electrochemical reactions, such as corrosion, electrodeposition, and sensor development. By maintaining a constant potential, researchers can isolate the behavior of a specific electrochemical process that occurs at that potential. Changes in the measured current can then be directly correlated to the rate of the electrochemical reaction or the concentration of electroactive species. This allows for detailed analysis of reaction kinetics, mechanism elucidation, and quantitative measurements. For instance, in corrosion studies, a potentiostat can be used to determine the corrosion potential and corrosion current density of a material, providing insights into its susceptibility to degradation. In electroplating, it ensures uniform deposition of metals by controlling the driving force for the reduction reaction.