Cyclic Reciprocal Derivative Chronopotentiometry as a Teaching Tool in the Electrochemistry Lab

Abstract

Teaching of experimental electrochemistry tends to focus on potential-control based techniques such as chronoamperometry, linear sweep voltammetry, and cyclic voltammetry. Galvanostatic control techniques are commonly sidelined, mainly because interpretation is less straightforward and requires elaborated data processing. Cyclic Reciprocal Derivative Chronopotentiometry (CRDC) is an electroanalytical method that allows obtaining curves analogous to cyclic voltammograms from chronopotentiometric data. The experiment described in this work is designed for undergrad students; it aims to illustrate the equivalences between cyclic voltammetry and CDRC and develop the students’ data processing skills.