Potentiostat / galvanostat / EIS

The galvanostats and potentiostats have been designed to measure electrochemical properties in applications such as corrosion coatings, batteries, general electrochemistry and many more. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) is available as an option on every instrument. This technique is utilized to study corrosion photovoltaic systems and batteries and in certain applications in life sciences. Other options include a broad assortment of voltage and current boosters.

How does a potentiostat/ galvanostat function?

The basic potentiostat utilizes three electrodes (2 or 4 electrode connections are also feasible). It controls and measures the voltage difference between the working electrode as well as a reference electrode that has a constant potential. It is able to measure the flow of current between the working electrode and counter electrode (that completes the circuit of cells). A galvanostat is an instrument controls the cell current not the voltage of the cell.

The working electrode could be a material on which a reaction occurs or – in case of corrosion tests one sample of the degraded material. For testing batteries, the potentiostat is connected directly to the electrodes of the battery.

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) experiments permit the user to determine the resistance of charge transfer double layer capacitance as well as Ohmic resistance.

What are the advantages of using a potentiostat / galvanostat/EIS?

Potentiostats are crucial to studying the electrochemical mechanisms that cause reactions, e.g. the redox chemistry. Another purpose is to test the performance of batteries. Potentiostats can also be used to check for electrochemically active compounds (e.g. drugs, toxins) and microbes in solutions.

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

Our potentiostat / galvanostat / EIS systems

Crucial to the function of a galvanostat/potentiostat and other applications, such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is the software. All our BioLogic instruments are controlled with the versatile EC-Lab(r) software. This software can provide a variety of measurement options, including various modes of control, such as loop and wait options that allow you for creating a complicated experimental chain. The software can also be used to control multiple potentiostats through a single interface view.

A broad range of quality indicators will allow users to validate their EIS experiments, with regard to linearity, non-stationarity or noise.

Furthermore, as opposed to numerous other systems there is the option to ‘Modify in real-time’, i.e. alter the settings of a parameter during an experiment if results aren’t as you would expect.

Examples of the applications of potentiostats and galvanostats / EIS

Metal surfaces may get corroded when they come into contact with corrosive solutions (mostly an acidic solution). Electrochemical methods can examine the behavior of the material when it is submerged in an acidic solution. Galvanostats, or potentiostats, are employed to determine the behaviors of this metal. Techniques like e.g. electrochemical impedance spectrum (EIS), Linear Polarization Resistance and Tafel Plot experiments are used to understand the behaviour of the metals.

The photovoltaic cell are in abundance these days. Solar energy is essential in the national, regional, and local energy production. To increase the efficiency of this energy source, a lot of research is being conducted. The characterization of photovoltaic solar cells can be performed by polarization and Electrochemical Impedance-Spectroscopy techniques that allow users to analyze the performance of the cells and determine the model. The electrochemistry’s role on energy fields is currently a hot subject.