Voltametrie

Voltammetry is a class of electrochemical techniques in which the potential applied to a working electrode is swept over a range of values, and the resulting current is measured as a function of that potential. This applied potential controls the redox reactions occurring at the electrode surface. As the potential is changed, analytes in the solution are oxidized or reduced, leading to changes in the measured current. The shape and position of the resulting voltammogram, a plot of current versus potential, provide information about the electrochemical properties of the analyte, such as its redox potential and concentration.

Different voltammetric methods exist, distinguished by the waveform of the applied potential. Common techniques include linear sweep voltammetry, where the potential is changed linearly with time, and cyclic voltammetry, which involves sweeping the potential in one direction and then reversing it. Other variations, such as square wave voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry, utilize pulsed potential waveforms to enhance sensitivity and minimize capacitive background currents. Voltammetry is a versatile analytical tool used in various fields, including environmental monitoring, pharmaceutical analysis, and biosensing, due to its sensitivity, selectivity, and ability to study complex electrochemical processes. It can be used for both qualitative identification and quantitative determination of electroactive species.