potentiostat/galvanostat/impedance analyser

Rev. 5-2013

potentiostat/galvanostat/impedance anayzer
A battery-powered, handheld instrument which allows the application of most of the relevant voltammetric, amperometric and potentiometric techniques as well as impedance spectroscopy. PSTrace for Windows provides all requirements for using PalmSens3. The available methods are: Voltammetric techniques Linear Sweep Voltammetry Differential Pulse Voltammetry Square Wave Voltammetry Normal Pulse Voltammetry ac Voltammetry Cyclic Voltammetry Stripping Chronopotentiometry (or PSA)

LSV DPV SWV NPV acV CV SCP

Note: these techniques can also be used for stripping voltammetry

Techniques as a function of time Amperometric Detection Pulsed Amperometric Detection Multiple Pulse Amperometric Detection Fast Amperometry Potentiometry Open Circuit Potentiometry Multistep Amperometry Multistep Potentiometry

AD PAD MPAD FAMP POT OCP MA MP

Impedance spectroscopy / EIS Potential scan Fixed potential Time scan A potential scan can be done at fixed frequency or making a frequency scan at each potential. The current is measured using a zero resistance ammeter (ZRA). Where possible, the electrochemical techniques can be applied using auto ranging which means that the instrument automatically sets the optimal current range. The user can specify the highest as well as lowest current range which might be selected automatically. See page 8 for instrumental specifications.

PSTrace main features

Data analysis PSTrace performs automatic as well as interactive peak detection and shows the peak potential, height, area, and width. Linear regression or integration can be performed on a marked part of the obtained curve. Smoothing of the measured curve is possible with a number of different levels. Curves can be subtracted from each other or subtracted with a (non-)linear baseline.

PSTrace in Scientific mode (default)

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy EIS (or FRA) PSTrace switches it's layout automatically as soon as the impedance technique is selected or impedance data has been loaded.

PSTrace showing interface for impedance spectroscopy

Output Data files can be stored (automatically) and loaded. These files are standard ASCII files and can easily be imported in other programs. With each data file a file with the method parameters is created and the user can create an additional text file (in Word format) with comments or information. Excel With one click of a button the measured curves are exported from PSTrace to Excel and converted to a (Excel native) graph object.

Multiplexer support PSTrace supports the MUX8 or MUX16 multiplexer for PalmSens. Voltammetric scans can be measured on all 16 or 8 channels consecutively and stored in a single data file. Amperometric detection can be done simultaneously on all channels, with a minimum interval time of 0.25 s (MUX8). Stirrer support PalmSens is capable of controlling a stirrer. PalmSens has to be equipped with an optional module for this purpose. The stirrer is automatically switched on during the conditioning and deposition stages and switched off during the equilibration stage and measurement. Bipotentiostat support PalmSens can be extended with a bipotentiostat module. The techniques linear sweep and cyclic voltammetry as well as amperometric detection can be applied using two working electrodes. Analysis of impedance spectra / circuit modeling PSTrace has integrated export functions for ZView from Scribner Associates. ZView is a popular program for equivalent circuit modeling and data analysis. This integration allows you to export measured data from PSTrace to ZView with one click of a button. The most recent circuit diagram used remains active for each new impedance curve exported to ZView.

Measured impedance data can also be loaded into the freeware program EIS Spectrum Analyser.

Scripting
PSTrace allows users to program a sequence of measurements by using Scripting. Such a sequence can include different techniques and provides control commands for the multiplexer as well as for the digital and analog input or output lines.

The script output and progress are shown during the run.

Output of the script is saved as curve files other readings or peak information is appended to a plain text file. A script can also be run directly from command prompt, making it easy to start a script from within a third party interface.

Analytical mode for quantitative analytical determinations

The Analytical mode provides the possibility to perform quantitative voltammetric analysis by means of standard addition or using a calibration curve by means of (stripping) voltammetry.

The program allows simultaneous determination of up to 4 components and with up to 4 standard additions or calibration curves. Background subtraction is also supported.

The plots and tables show the results of the voltammetric analysis.

Corrosion mode
The corrosion mode of PSTrace provides corrosion relevant data analysis: - Linear polarization, from which the polarization resistance is obtained, - Tafel plots, from which the corrosion rate is obtained.

The corrosion rate or polarization resistance can be obtained from the measured curve by means of drawing straight lines specified by the user or by means of a numerical fit method of the corrosion parameters using the theoretical Stern-Geary equation.

Specifications of general parameters

General pretreatment: Apply conditioning, deposition or begin potential for: 0 1600 s General voltammetric parameters: Potential range: -5.000 V to + 5.000 V Step potential: 0.1 mV to 250 mV Pulse potential: 1 mV to 250 mV Limits of some technique specific parameters for PalmSens3:
NPV and DPV: Scan rate: Pulse time: SWV: SCP: LSV and CV: AD and PAD: Frequency: Sampling rate: Scan rate: Interval time: Pulse time: Run time: Maximum number of points: Pulse times: Run time: Number of potential levels: Maximum number of points: Interval time: Maximum run time: Maximum number of points: Interval time: Maximum run time: Interval time: Number of potential levels: Number of cycles: Maximum run time: 0.15 mV/s (0.15mV step) to 100 mV/s (5 mV step) 10 ms to 300 ms 1 Hz to 2000 Hz 1 Approx. 100 kHz., max. 100 s 0.01 mV/s (0.15 mV step) to 200 V/s (2 mV step) 1 ms (10 ms for PAD) to 300 s 1 ms to 1 s 10 s to 100000 s 65000 100 ms to 2 s 10 s to 100000 s 3 65000 0.01 ms to 1 s 30 s 20000, but 4000 for interval time < 0.0002 s 1 ms to 300 s 100000 s 100 ms to 30 s 1 to 255 1 to 20000 100000 s

MPAD:

Fast amperometry:

Potentiometry at constant current or at open circuit: Multistep amperometry and potentiometry

Note: some limits of parameters are set for practical reasons and can be modified on request. (1) PSTrace provides the option to measure forward and reverse currents separately.

Instrumental specifications
Controlled potential mode (potentiostat): - dc-potential range - compliance voltage - dc-potential resolution - dc-offset error - accuracy - current ranges - maximum current - current resolution - accuracy 5.000 V 8.0 V 0.15 mV 2 mV 0.2 % 100 pA to 10 mA (9 ranges), using a ZRA (zero resistance ammeter) 30 mA (typical) 0.01 % of current range 1 % at 1 nA, 5% on 100 pA 0.5 % at 10 nA and 10 mA 0.2 % of current range at 100 nA to 1 mA all with additional 0.2 % offset error 200,000 pnts/s

- max. acquisition rate Controlled current mode (galvanostat): - current ranges - dc-current range - dc-current resolution - dc-offset error - current accuracy - maximum output voltage Impedance measurements: - Frequency range: - ac- amplitude range: General: - electrometer amplifier input - rise time - external I/O

1 A to 10 mA 3.000 times selected current range 0.01 % of selected current range 0.2 % 0.4 % 8V

100 Hz to 20 kHz 1 mV to 0.3 V (rms)

> 100 Gohm // 4 pF programmable from min. 0.5 s Analog: 1 input and 1 output channel (0 V - 3 V) Digital: 1 input and 4 output lines Run, Skip, Abort, Backlight and Power Blue, 4 lines of 16 characters with backlight 155 mm x 85 mm x 35 mm 0 C to + 40 C 0.43 kg USB and Li-ion battery USB cable

Keypad Display Dimensions Temperature range Weight Power Interfacing

Extensions
Magnetic stirrer The magnetic stirrer controlled by PalmSens is ideal for stripping analysis applications. The stirrer is switched on during the conditioning and deposition stages by means of the Switchbox. Optional extension MUX8 or MUX16 multiplexer MUX8 is a multiplexer for use with 2 to 8 sensors or three-electrode cells. It is connected to the PalmSens instrument. This device allows application of sensor arrays with up to eight working electrodes sharing the reference and counter electrodes, but also with eight working, eight counter and eight reference electrodes. The device can also be used with two-electrode sensor arrays. MUX16 is a multiplexer for use with 16 working electrodes all sharing the same counter and same reference electrode in a single solution or for 16 working electrodes each with a combined reference/counter electrode in separate solutions. BiPot A bipotentiostat module is available for use with two working electrodes. This module is available in two different configurations (from factory). Configuration 1: the second WE is kept at a constant potential Configuration 2: the second WE scans at a fixed potential offset with respect to the first WE. In both modes the current for both WE's are simultaneously recorded in linear sweep and cyclic voltammetry as well as amperometric detection. Other extensions PalmSens is expandable. The external I/O possibilities provide possibilities to control external equipment as valves, stirrers, etc. Additionally on the printed circuit board is space for an extra module. This provides the option to modify the instrument for specific sensors and applications.

Please do not hesitate to contact PalmSens for more details: info@palmsens.com

PalmSens BV The Netherlands www.palmsens.com

DISCLAIMER Changes in specifications and typing errors preserved. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this description. However no rights can be claimed by the contents of this description.