Future of Voltammetry

Abstract

It is exactly one hundred years ago when the first paper about the development of polarography was published in 1922. Polarography is considered a predecessor of voltammetry, and this iconic electrochemical technique was designed by the Nobel laureate Jaroslav Heyrovsky. In this short review, the aim is to highlight some of the most important achievements of voltammetry so far. While hints are given to some of the most important theoretical works related to various electrode mechanisms in cyclic voltammetry and pulse voltammetric techniques, a critical part is written that should help to improve the communication between theoretical and experimental electrochemists. Since a main application of voltammetry is in the field of constructing biosensors, some of the major achievements and several drawbacks of applying voltammetric techniques in designing sensors are discussed. In a small part of this review, the role of nanomaterials in voltammetry is also considered. As scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) seems to be most promising instrumental system that will bring voltammetry a step closer to probing real biological systems, critical aspects about the weaknesses of this technique are also briefly discussed. In the final outlooks, we present a set of directions in which voltammetry will develop in the coming years. The paper is written in a way to motivate younger electrochemists to get more involved in exploring the voltammetry.