Rev.

11-2020-007
 Contents

Contents

Description ............................................................................................................................................... 3
Stacking up to 128 channels .................................................................................................................... 3
Configurations .......................................................................................................................................... 4
Connectors ........................................................................................................................................... 4
Cell Connections ...................................................................................................................................... 5
Option A (default): ............................................................................................................................. 5
Option B: .......................................................................................................................................... 5
Option C: .......................................................................................................................................... 5
Option D: .......................................................................................................................................... 5
Supported Switching Modes .................................................................................................................... 6
Specifications of General Parameters ....................................................................................................... 7
System Specifications .............................................................................................................................. 8
Potentiostat ...................................................................................................................................... 8
Electrometer ..................................................................................................................................... 8
Integrated MUX8-R2 Multiplexer ....................................................................................................... 8
Other ................................................................................................................................................ 8
Functional Diagram .................................................................................................................................. 9
Dimensions ............................................................................................................................................ 10
PSTrace: Software for Windows ............................................................................................................. 11
System requirements .......................................................................................................................... 11
Also available as extension ..................................................................................................................... 12

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 Description

Description
The EmStatMUX8-R2 potentiostat with multiplexer is designed for up to 8 channels with 2- or 3-
electrode sensors or cells. The instrument consists of the MUX8-R2 multiplexer with an integrated
EmStat3 or EmStat3+ potentiostat. Specifications can be found on page 8.

Stacking up to 128 channels

The EmStatMUX8-R2 has a Link connector
which can be used to daisy chain to a
MUX8-R2 multiplexer, expanding the number
of channels. A maximum of 16 multiplexers
can be connected in a daisy chain, giving a
maximum of 128 channels.
The PSTrace software detects automatically
how many multiplexers are daisy chained and
shows the available number of channels in the
user interface.

See page 11 for more information about PSTrace.

Magnetic feet for easy stacking

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 Configurations

Configurations
The EmStatMUX8-R2 multiplexer is designed for use up to 128 channels with 2- or 3- electrode sensors
or cells.

The multiplexer can be used with different electrode or sensor configurations:

1 Eight separate cells or sensors each with a working/sense, reference and counter
electrode
2 Eight separate cells or sensors each with a working/sense and combined reference
and counter electrode
3 Cell or sensor array with eight working/sense electrodes sharing one reference and
one counter electrode
4 Cell or sensor array with eight working/sense electrodes sharing one combined
reference/counter electrode

In all configurations the cells can be multiplexed, leaving the non-selected working electrodes
either at open circuit (individually floating) or at Ground potential.

When in configurations 3 and 4, the unselected channels are switched to Ground, they will have
the working electrode’s potential. This is due to the fact that the active WE is always at Ground
potential.

You can easily change the hardware configuration of the MUX8-R2 as part of
the measurement settings in our PSTrace software or the PStouch app for
Android.

See page 11 for more information about PSTrace.

Hardware settings can be changed

Connectors in the software

The EmStatMUX8-R2 has the following connectors:

CONNECTOR FUNCTION
INPUT Y-cable connects to both potentiostat sensor connector and
(digital) AUX
AUX Can be used to measure auxiliary input like temperature or
pH, and to switch or trigger external hardware using two
digital control lines that can be set in PSTrace
LINK Connects to Input of next multiplexer, for daisy-chaining
multiple multiplexers.
USB-C For connecting to PC or Android device
CHANNEL 1-4 Connects to sensor cables 1-4
CHANNEL 5-8 Connects to sensor cables 5-8

See next page for cable and cell connection options.

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 Cell Connections

Cell Connections
Option A (default):
The channels are divided in two sets of four sensor cables joined with a D-Sub connector.

Order code: [CBL-MUX08R2-SNS-5S]

Image not to scale.

Actual cable length is 1 meter per channel.

Option B:
The cable here shown at the right can be used in case the
multiplexer needs to be connected to a fixed setup by means
of soldering or screw-terminals.

Order code: [CBL-HD-MUX08R2]

Option C:
You can also connect one or two screw-terminals directly in the
multiplexer.

Order code: [MUX08R2-ST]

Option D:
The SPE adapter for our MUX8-R2 multiplexer allows you to
connect 8x Screen Printed Electrodes (SPE’s). The pitch of the
SPE connector is 2.54 mm and compatible with the most popular
brands of SPE’s.

Order code: [MUX08R2-SPE]

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 Supported Switching Modes

Supported Switching Modes

In sequential mode each channel is set before the next measurement starts. In alternating mode, the
channels are quickly scanned during each interval time giving a virtual-simultaneous measurement
across the selected channels.

Supported Switching Mode

Voltammetric techniques: Sequentially Alternatingly
▪ Linear Sweep Voltammetry
▪ Cyclic Voltammetry
▪ Fast Cyclic Voltammetry
▪ AC Voltammetry
▪ Differential Pulse Voltammetry
Pulsed techniques:
▪ Square Wave Voltammetry
▪ Normal Pulse Voltammetry
▪ Stripping Chronopotentiometry
Amperometric techniques
▪ Chronoamperometry
▪ Zero Resistance Amperomery
▪ Multistep Amperometry
▪ Fast Amperometry
▪ Pulsed Amperometric Detection
▪ Multiple-Pulse Amperometric Detection
Galvanostatic techniques
▪ Linear Sweep Potentiometry
▪ Chronopotentiometry
▪ Multistep Potentiometry
▪ Open Circuit Potentiometry
▪ Stripping Chronopotentiometry
Other
▪ Mixed Mode
▪ Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS/GEIS)

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 Specifications of General Parameters

Specifications of General Parameters

General pretreatment
Apply conditioning, deposition or begin potential for: 0 – 1600 s

General voltammetric parameters

Potential range for EmStat3: -3.000 V to +3.000 V
Potential range for EmStat3+: -4.000 V to +4.000 V
Step potential: 0.125 mV to 250 mV
Pulse potential: 0.125 mV to 250 mV

Limits of some technique specific parameters for EmStat3 and EmStat3+

NPV and DPV: Scan rate: 0.025 mV/s (0.125 mV step)

to 50 mV/s (5 mV step)
Pulse time: 5 ms to 300 ms
1
SWV : Frequency: 1 Hz to 500 Hz 1
LSV and CV: Scan rate: 0.01 mV/s (0.1 mV step)
to 5 V/s (5 mV step)
AD: Interval time: 1 ms to 300 s
Run time: 1 s to hours
PAD: Interval time: 50 ms to 300 s
Pulse time: 1 ms to 1 s
Run time: 10 s to hours
MPAD: Pulse times: 100 ms to 2 s
Run time: 10 s to hours
Number of potential levels: 3
Potentiometry at Interval time: 1 ms to 30 s
open circuit (OCP): Maximum run time: hours
Multistep Interval time: 1 ms to 30 s
Amperometry: Number of potential levels: 1 to 255
Number of cycles: 1 to 20000
Maximum run time: hours

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

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 System Specifications

System Specifications
With potentiostat version With potentiostat version

▪ dc-potential range ± 3.000 V ± 4.000 V

▪ compliance voltage ±5V ±8V
▪ applied dc-potential 0.1 mV 0.125 mV
resolution
▪ applied potential accuracy ≤ 0.2 % ≤ 0.3 %
with max. 2 mV offset error with max. 3 mV offset error
▪ current ranges 1 nA to 10 mA (8 ranges) 1 nA to 100 mA (9 ranges)
▪ maximum measured current ± 20 mA typical and ± 100 mA typical
± 15 mA minimum

Potentiostat
▪ current resolution 0.1 % of current range
1 pA on lowest current range
▪ current accuracy ≤ 1 % of current range at 1 nA
≤ 0.5 % at 10 nA
≤ 0.2 % at 100 nA to 100 uA
≤ 0.5 % at 1 mA, 10 mA and 100 mA
all with max. 0.2 % offset error

Electrometer
▪ electrometer amplifier input > 100 Gohm // 4 pF
▪ rise time approx. 100 μs

Integrated MUX8-R2 Multiplexer

▪ number of channels 8 (up to 128 channels when daisy chained)
▪ multiplexer switches 8 x (WE, S, RE and CE)
▪ on resistance for WE 1.5 ohm typical
▪ charge injection on WE 20 pC typical
▪ leakage current < 20 pA (5 pA typical) at 25 ºC
▪ switching time 2 ms

Other
▪ housing aluminium: 138 mm x 121 mm x 37 mm
▪ weight +/- 250 g
▪ temperature range 0º C to +40º C
▪ power supply USB
▪ communication USB-C

See page 5 for cable and cell connection options

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 Functional Diagram

Functional Diagram

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 Dimensions

Dimensions
Dimensions in mm:

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 PSTrace: Software for Windows

PSTrace: Software for Windows

Select current ranges for auto Switch between plots if

ranging and the starting curves with different units
current range. are available.

Method Editor

Measurement
data and
curves

Click on a measurement in Click on a curve in the

the legend to see the legend to change its
available data and to title or appearance.
generate more curves.

Other functions in PSTrace 5

▪ Equivalent Circuit Fitting

▪ Scripting
▪ Open your data in Origin and Excel with
one click of a button
▪ Save all available curves, measurement
data and methods to a single file
▪ Browse measurements on PalmSens4’s
internal storage
▪ Direct feedback on method parameters

Integration with third party software:

▪ Excel System requirements
▪ Origin
Minimum PC requirements are:
▪ Matlab ▪ Windows 7, 8, or 10 (32-bit or 64-bit)
▪ ZView ▪ 1 GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
▪ 1 GB RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)

For more information about software visit www.palmsens.com/software

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 Also available as extension

Also available as extension

Also available as extension

The MUX8-R2 multiplexer is also available as generic

multiplexer for PalmSens3, PalmSens4 and EmStat Blue.

For more information:

www.palmsens.com/product/mux8-r2/

Please don’t 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
document. However, no rights can be claimed by the
contents of this document.

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