Voltameetria

Voltameetria is a family of electrochemical analytical techniques that measure the electric current as a function of applied potential in an electrochemical cell. In essence, it involves applying a varying electrical potential to an electrode immersed in a solution containing an analyte and observing how the resulting current changes. This current is directly related to the rate of electrochemical reactions occurring at the electrode surface.

The fundamental principle behind voltameetria is the relationship between potential, current, and concentration, often described by electrochemical equations. By systematically changing the potential applied to a working electrode, one can drive specific electrochemical reactions. Different voltammetric techniques vary in how the potential is applied, for example, linearly, stepwise, or in a pulsed manner.

The resulting data is typically plotted as a voltammogram, which shows current on the y-axis and applied potential on the x-axis. Peaks or plateaus in the voltammogram correspond to specific redox (reduction-oxidation) processes of the analyte. The position of these features on the potential axis can identify the analyte, while the height or area of the peak can quantify its concentration.

Voltameetria finds widespread applications in various fields, including analytical chemistry for determining the concentration of ions and molecules, environmental monitoring for detecting pollutants, and in the study of reaction mechanisms. Its sensitivity and ability to analyze complex mixtures make it a powerful tool in scientific research and industrial quality control.