Simulating Cyclic voltammetric curves

Cyclic voltammetry is an imperative electrochemical analytical tool to probe the electrochemical characteristics, electrochemical kinetics and to assess the performance of the fabricated electrode materials for batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, biosensors, etc.
It is also deployed to scrutinize the electrochemical signature of the pharmaceutical / chemical / biochemical compounds and nanocomposite materials, polymers, complexes, etc., as well as to explore the electron transfer process from energy storage to bio-medical applications.

 

It consists of three electrode cell assembly immersed in the electrolyte and a computer controlled Potentiostat is used to control the potential and to monitor the current.

1. Working electrode (WE) where the required redox reaction takes place.

2. Reference electrode (RE) to vary / monitor the potential (E, V) of the WE. Potential between WE and RE is varied at a pre-defined scan-rate, denoted as ν (V.s^-1) between two potential values.

3. Counter electrode (CE) to vary / monitor the current (I, A) between WE and CE.

Observed 'I' is plotted against 'E vs.RE' at the given ν. Potential is varied from initial to final value and reversed to initial and forms a cycle. Based on the redox reaction, I is observed and recorded against V .

IUPAC convention of a cyclic voltammogram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Simulation

Cyclic voltammetric curves can be simulated using open sourced, Simulation of voltammetric electrochemistry (https://limhes.net/ecsim/) by Dr. Rene Becker.

 

Book on Simulated Cyclic Voltammograms: Basics of Electrochemical Kinetics

 

Following video tutorials illustrates the basic simulation for a simple reduction reaction with two electrons transfer.