In this report, theory for cyclic square wave voltammetry for single and consecutive reversible electron transfer reactions is presented and experimentally verified. The impact of empirical parameters on the shape of the current-voltage curve is examined. Diagnostic criteria enabling the use of this waveform as a tool for mechanistic analysis of electrode reaction processes are also presented. Since this waveform effectively discriminates against capacitance currents, cyclic square wave voltammetry will enable acquisition of mechanistic information at analyte concentration levels lower than that possible with cyclic voltammetry.

Theory for cyclic square wave voltammetry of quasireversible electron transfer reactions is presented and experimentally verified. The impact of empirical parameters on the shape of the current-voltage curve is examined. From the trends, diagnostic criteria enabling the use of this waveform as a tool for mechanistic analysis of electrode reaction processes are presented. These criteria were experimentally confirmed using Eu(3+)/Eu(2+), a well-established quasireversible analyte. Using cyclic square wave voltammetry, both the electron transfer coefficient and rate were calculated for this analyte and found to be in excellent agreement with literature. When properly applied, these criteria will enable nonexperts in voltammetry to assign the electrode reaction mechanism and accurately measure electrode reaction kinetics.

Theory for cyclic square wave voltammetry of an irreversible first-order chemical reaction coupling two electron transfers, i.e. an ECE mechanism, is presented. Theoretical voltammograms were calculated following systematic variation of empirical parameters to assess their impact on the shape of the voltammogram. Note that the results presented herein are applicable only to ECE processes where E 0 for the second electron transfer step is negative of that for the first. Under this condition, disproportionation reactions do not occur. From the trends obtained, diagnostic criteria for this mechanism were deduced. When properly applied, these criteria will enable non-experts in voltammetry to assign the electrode reaction mechanism and accurately measure reaction kinetics over the range −2 ≤ log k f ≤ 6. Square wave voltammetry (SWV) has been shown to be particularly useful in identifying electrode reaction mechanisms especially those involving chemical reactions coupled to the electron transfer step.1-7 Although a strong theoretical basis exists, 8 the use of SWV for identifying electrode reaction mechanisms has been limited to a small number of electrochemists. Our goal is to broaden the use of SWV for determining electrode reaction mechanisms especially by nonexperts in electrochemistry who make occasional use of voltammetry in characterizing new compounds. Cyclic square wave voltammetry (CSWV) is a modified form of SWV that steps through the region of the formal potential of the electroactive species under study and back to the initial potential as shown in Fig. 1a. The empirical parameters that comprise the CSWV waveform are period (τ), amplitude (E sw ), increment (δE), and the potential at which the direction of the sweep is reversed (E λ ).Our current effort is focused on identifying the specific mechanisms CSWV provides a straightforward means for determining the mechanism and associated kinetic parameters. [9][10][11][12][13][14] In this work, we critically evaluate CSWV for the analysis of consecutive electron transfers coupled by a homogeneous irreversible chemical reaction, i.e. an ECE mechanism. The process used to evaluate CSWV is as follows. Theoretical voltammograms were computed by systematic variation of each empirical parameter. Figures of merit that describe the shape of the voltammogram as shown in Fig. 1b (peak potentials, peak currents, and peak widths) were compiled and correlated with the empirical parameter being varied. Trends characteristic of this mechanism were identified from these correlations and provide diagnostic criteria for assigning an electrode reaction as an ECE process. Application of these criteria will enable non-specialists to accurately assign the mechanism and, in many instances, quantify the rate constant of the chemical reaction.The ECE mechanism has been the subject of considerable interest by electrochemists over the past five decades. [2][3][4][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] The continuing interest reflects: (1) the challenge in mathematically modeling the...

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Theory for cyclic square wave voltammetry of electrode reactions with chemical reactions preceding the electron transfer is presented. Theoretical voltammograms were calculated following systematic variation of empirical parameters to assess their impact on the shape of the voltammogram. From the trends obtained, diagnostic criteria for this mechanism were deduced. When properly applied, these criteria will enable non-experts in voltammetry to assign the electrode reaction mechanism and accurately measure reaction kinetics.