19] Electrochemical methods of analysis

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses electrochemical techniques, involving net current flow due to redox reactions at electrode surfaces, and in particular to voltammetry techniques, those in which current is measured at various potentials. The discussions in the chapter provide a basic description of the analytical attributes of voltammetry together with some practical details of its implementation. Commercial instruments for carrying out these techniques have not reached the level of sophistication taken for granted with most forms of spectroscopy. But recent improvements have finally made these techniques usable by non-experts for both routine analytical applications and physicochemical investigations. By virtue of speed, sensitivity, robustness, and species specificity, they should receive steadily broadening use for determining and characterizing trace metals in biological systems, especially at trace levels. This chapter also discusses rotating disk voltammetry, normal and differential pulse voltammetry, staircase and square wave voltammetry, and linear scan voltammetry. Potential programs for these techniques are together with typical voltammetry response.