Assignment Topic: "Voltammogram"
Assignment Topic: "Voltammogram"
Department
CHM 4283
Assignment topic
0
“Voltammogram” Voltammogram
Submitted by:
Usman Ghani Section: CF3-17
Reg. id: R217BSCH0062 Submission Date: 1st Feb
Semester: 7th Due Date: 1st Feb
Voltammogram
A voltammogram is a plot of the current as a function of the applied potential. The shape of a
voltammogram depends on the type of indicator electrode and the potential ramp that is used.
The typical shape of the voltammogram is due to the way in which an electrochemical
experiment is usually set up. There are roughly two groups of measurements that are plotted as
voltammograms: pulsed techniques and linear sweeps.
A cyclic voltammogram is obtained by measuring the current at the working electrode during
the potential scans. Following shows a cyclic voltammogram resulting from a single electron
reduction and oxidation. Consider the following reversible reaction:
M++e− ⇌ M
1 Voltammogram
Determining Concentration
Phases in a voltammogram
2. After reaching the so-called redox potential, the initial exponential rise of the curve levels
off. The cause being the decreasing amount of substance in front of the electrode, which also
results in a lack of electrons, until eventually no electrons are left to draw close. The curve is
at its highest point.
3. The potential is still being increased towards anodic (positive) potentials. Still the current is
decreasing, because there is less and less substance left to collect. Due to diffusion substance
is transported towards the electrode. All substance that reaches the electrode is immediately
converted. A further increase of potential doesn’t lead to an increase of current. The current
is limited by the diffusion of new substance towards the electrode.
4. There is no reason to increase the potential any further. In case of Cyclic Voltammetry, the
potential descends linearly again. This drop in potential causes the lower curve, that shows
exactly the same gradient as the upper curve of the voltammogram, but then reversed. The
substance, which was converted during the anodic increase will now be reduced (receiving
electrons) again.
4 Voltammogram
Voltammogram: Potential and current response and the concentration profile in the
vicinity of the electrode surface
5 Voltammogram
voltammograms for (a) normal pulse polarography, (b) differential pulse polarography, (c)
staircase polarography, and (d) square-wave polarography