Abstract
New methods for analysis of current-potential curves in terms of their derivatives are presented for studying various types of electrode processes – such as simple electron transfer reactions (reversible, quasi-reversible, and irreversible electron transfer) as well as chemically coupled electron transfer reactions along with a diagnostic scheme for differentiating these various types of electrochemical reaction mechanisms. Expressions for first- and higher order derivatives are derived from theoretical analytical solutions for currents for the different types of electrode mechanisms. The derivative curves are analyzed in terms of various parameters which characterize peak shape or peak symmetry with an emphasis on the second derivatives with well-defined anodic and cathodic peaks. Second derivatives can yield, in a simpler manner, the symmetry ratios; i.e., a ratio of anodic to cathodic peak-currents (ipa/ipc), and a ratio of anodic to cathodic peak-widths (Wpa/wpc) and a ratio of anodic to cathodic peak potential differences (ΔEpa/ΔEpc) or a peak separation (Epa-Epc) are evaluated, and these ratio can be related to kinetic parameters associated with a particular types of electrode mechanisms. Peaks are found to be symmetrical for a simple reversible electron transfer process (Er). However, peaks become asymmetrical when the electron transfer become slower (namely, irreversible, Eirr) or e− transfer reaction is coupled with homogeneous chemical reactions such as a prior reaction (CEr) or a follower-up reaction (ECr). From measured values of such symmetry ratios above, one can gain insight to the nature of the electrochemical systems enabling us to determine various kinetic parameters associated with a system. A diagnostic criteria for assigning an electrode mechanism is devised based on the values of asymmetry parameters measured, which are unity for a simple reversible electron transfer process.
Highlights
The aim of this Chapter is several folds (1) to provide a brief background on the derivative approach in measurements and its various applications in science and Analytical Chemistry - Advancement, Perspectives and Applications engineering fields, (2) to review some of our research work on advances on derivatives voltammetry (DV) which have been scattered among dozens of different journls and conference presentations/proceedings in the past, together with additional new findings and development which have not been published yet, (3) to analyze and compare those characteristic results from each of different electrochemical reaction mechanisms, and to construct a master table of diagnostic criteria for differentiating various types of the electrode mechanisms
As far as method of studying electrode reaction mechanisms concerned [1, 38], the cyclic voltammetry (CV) has been dominant in the field [39–41]. We have developed this new derivative approach to investigate electrode kinetics [11–15] in order to help in elucidating electrochemical reaction mechanisms: this is because CV has drawbacks of complications arising from the interference of the capacitive current to charge the electrical double layer at the interface; as results those peaks from CV are not purely Faradaic, and giving problems associated with defining/evaluating peak currents, and peak potentials (Ep) and peak widths (Wp)
In our previous studies [57–61], we have introduced the approach of analyzing peak asymmetry found in the differential pulse polarography/voltammetry (DPP/DPV): namely, the differential pulse voltammograms can be viewed as a pseudo-derivative of the i-E curve which is emulated mechanically and/or electronically with the voltammetric/polarographic analyzer
Summary
The aim of this Chapter is several folds (1) to provide a brief background on the derivative approach in measurements and its various applications in science and Analytical Chemistry - Advancement, Perspectives and Applications engineering fields, (2) to review some of our research work on advances on derivatives voltammetry (DV) which have been scattered among dozens of different journls and conference presentations/proceedings in the past, together with additional new findings and development which have not been published yet, (3) to analyze and compare those characteristic results from each of different electrochemical reaction mechanisms, and to construct a master table of diagnostic criteria for differentiating various types of the electrode mechanisms. Earlier pioneering reports on the derivative approach in electrochemistry are found in the reference sections in our previous reports in electronalyticalchemistry [11–15], the approach with derivatives is limited to electrochemical methods and have extended to other various fields of science and engineering [23–27, 33]. These reviews and earlier articles introduces basics of the method and techniques of signal processing [2–4, 28, 34], as applied to spectroscopic and spectrophotometric data [2–9, 34], electrochemical data [10–21], and other signals from seismic data [23] and data from biomechanics measurements [24–27, 33]. A review of signal processing in electrochemistry with an introduction of software packages and extensive references therein by Jakubowska [29] may provide further assistance for interested readers
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