galvanostato

A galvanostat is an electronic instrument used to control the current flow in an electrochemical cell. It is a type of potentiostat, but instead of controlling the potential, it controls the current. The galvanostat maintains a constant current by adjusting the potential difference between the working electrode and the reference electrode. This is achieved through a feedback loop that compares the actual current with the desired current and adjusts the potential accordingly.

Galvanostats are commonly used in electrochemistry for techniques such as chronoamperometry and chronopotentiometry. In chronoamperometry, the current is held constant while the potential is measured over time. This technique is useful for studying the kinetics of electrochemical reactions. In chronopotentiometry, the current is held constant while the potential is measured over time. This technique is useful for studying the thermodynamics of electrochemical reactions.

Galvanostats can be used with a variety of electrochemical cells, including those with solid, liquid, or gas electrodes. They can also be used with a variety of electrolytes, including aqueous and non-aqueous solutions. The current range of galvanostats can vary widely, from microamperes to amperes, depending on the specific application.

Galvanostats are typically controlled by a computer or a dedicated control unit. The control unit allows the user to set the desired current and the duration of the experiment. It also allows the user to monitor the current and potential over time. The data collected by the galvanostat can be used to generate graphs and other visualizations, which can be used to analyze the electrochemical reactions taking place in the cell.