Potentiostat / galvanostat / EIS

Galvanostats and potentiostats are made for electrochemical measurement in the field of corrosion coatings, batteries, general electrochemistry, and many others. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) is an option with each instrument. The method of analysis is used for studying corrosion, batteries, photovoltaics, and in certain applications in life sciences. Other options include a large assortment of voltage and current boosters.

How does a p-potentiostat / galvanostat function?

A basic potentiostat uses an electrode system of three (2 or 4 electrode connections are also feasible). It controls and measures the current difference between a working electrode as well as a reference electrode that has a constant voltage. It measures the current flow between the electrode that is working and the counter electrode (that completes the circuit of cells). As a galvanostat instrument controls the current in the cell rather than the cell voltage.

The working electrode may be a material on which a reaction can take place or if corrosion is measured or tests – a sample of corroded material. In the case of testing batteries it is necessary to connect the potentiostat directly to the electrodes of the battery.

Electrochemical Impedance Spectrum (EIS) tests enable the user to identify resistance to charge transfer, double layer capacitance and ohmic resistance.

What is the reason to use a potentiostat or galvanostat / EIS?

A potentiostat is crucial for studying reactions in electrochemistry, e.g. the study of redox chemistry. Another purpose is to test the performance of batteries. Potentiostats can also be used to test for electrochemically active substances (e.g. toxic substances, drugs) and microbes in solution.

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) is a tool with many uses. It is utilized to study corrosion, e.g. in reinforced concrete, but also in double-layer studies, batteries, photovoltaic and solid-state electrochemistry systems.

Our potentiostat / galvanostat / EIS systems

A key element in the functioning of a galvanostat or potentiostat and applications such as electrochemical spectroscopy is the software. All our BioLogic instruments are controlled by the extremely flexible EC-Lab(r) software. This software can give a range of measurement modesand different modular techniques with wait and loop options to construct a complex experimental chain. The software also has the ability to control several potentiostats in one interface view.

A broad range of quality indicators will enable users to validate their EIS experiment, particularly with regards to linearity, non-stationarity or noise.

Additionally, unlike several other systems, It is also possible to  modify on the fly’, i.e. change the settings for parameters during the course of an experiment when results aren’t as you would expect.

Examples of the uses of potentiostats / galvanostats / EIS

Metallic surfaces can get corroded when in contact with a corrosive solution (mostly the acidic ones). With electrochemical techniques you can study the behavior of the material when it is submerged in a corrosive solution. Galvanostats, or potentiostats, are employed to investigate the behavior and behavior of these metals. Techniques like, e.g. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), Linear Polarization Resistance and Tafel Plot experiments are used to understand the behaviour of the metals.

Photovoltaic cells are all over the place these days. Solar energy is crucial in local, regional and national energy production. To improve the efficiency such an energy supply, a lot of research is done. Photovoltaic solar cells ‘ characterization could be carried out using polarization and Electrochemical Impedance-Spectroscopy techniques which enable the user to evaluate the efficiency of the cell as well as the develop a mathematical model. The role played by electrochemistry in energies fields is a topic of current interest.