Potentiostat / galvanostat / EIS

Galvanostats or potentiostats are constructed to perform electrochemical measurements in applications such as corrosion coatings, batteries general electrochemistry and so on. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) is an option in each instrument. The method of analysis is used to study corrosion batteries, photovoltaic systems, and in some life science applications. Other options include a vast variety of voltage and current boosters.

What is the process by which a potentiostat or galvanostat function?

A simple potentiostat employs an electrode system of three (2 or four electrode connections are feasible). It regulates and monitors the voltage difference between a working electrode and a reference electrode which has a constant potential. It is able to measure the flow of current between the working electrode and counter electrode (that completes the circuit of cells). In a galvanostat, the device regulates the current flowing through the cell not the voltage of the cell.

The electrode that is used for the working could be a metal upon where a reaction occurs or – for corrosion measurements an example of the damaged material. For battery testing the potentiostat is attached directly to the electrodes of the battery.

Electrochemical Impedance Spectrum (EIS) tests allow users to calculate charge transfer resistance, double layer capacitance and ohmic resistance.

Why use a potentiostat / galvanostat/EIS?

Potentiostats are crucial to the study of reaction mechanisms in electrochemistry, e.g. the redox chemistry. Another function is the testing of batteries. Potentiostats also can be used to test for electrochemically active substances (e.g. drugs, toxins) and microbes in solution.

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) has many applications. It is utilized to study corrosion e.g. in reinforced concrete and in electrode kinetics, double-layer studies, batteries, photovoltaic and solid-state electrochemistry systems.

Our potentiostat / galvanostat / EIS systems

The most important aspect of a galvanostat or potentiostat and applications like electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is the application. All our BioLogic instruments are controlled by the highly flexible EC-Lab(r) software, to provide a variety modes, with different modes of control, such as loop and delay options to design a complex experiment chain. It is also able to control multiple potentiostats with one interface view.

A wide range of quality indicators will help users to test their EIS tests, in relation to linearity, non-stationarity or noise.

In addition, unlike several other systems, one can ‘Modify at will’, i.e. alter the settings of a parameter during an experiment , if the results are not as expected.

Examples of the applications of potentiostats / galvanostats / EIS

Metallic surfaces could corrode when they are in contact with a corrosive liquid (mostly acidic media). Through electrochemical techniques, you can analyze the behavior of the metal while submersed in a corrosive solution. Galvanostats and potentiostats are utilized to determine the properties of these metallics. Techniques like e.g. EIS (Electrochemical Impedance) (EIS), Linear Polarization Resistance and Tafel Plot experiments are used to analyze the behavior for the metallic compounds.

Photovoltaic cells are in abundance these days. Solar energy is essential in the national, regional, and local energy production. To improve the efficiency of this energy source much research is carried out. Characterization of solar cells for photovoltaics can be done using polarization as well as Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy techniques, which enable the user to measure the effectiveness of the cell and determine the model. The electrochemistry’s role on the energy fields is at present a hot issue.