Steady-State Voltammetry

Abstract

Microelectrodes permit steady-state voltammograms to be recorded more simply than older methods. Only electrodes that are small in all their linear dimensions, so that diffusion is sufficiently convergent, achieve steady states. The time required to approach a steady state closely is about 6A/D for an inlaid disc microelectrode of area A, D being the diffusion coefficient of the reactant. The plateau of the voltammogram reflects A and D, as well as the reactant concentration, so that these parameters are measureable experimentally. Additionally, the heterogeneous rate constant, the transfer coefficient and the standard potential may be accessible from the shape of the steady-state voltammogram.