Potentiostatic Polarization

Potentiostatic Polarization is an electrochemical technique, usually called  Chronoamperometry (CA) at PalmSens.

Description

Potentiostatic Polarization is a simple, widely used electrochemical measurement technique. Many sensors, like those for glucose or oxygen, require this technique.

Amperiometric Detection
Signal applied during Amperiometric Detection

 

Measurement

The instrument applies a constant dc-potential (E dc) and the current is measured with constant interval times. By dividing the obtained current by a calibration factor the concentration of a specific analyte in the sample is calculated. Such applications allow the design of a very compact instrument like the ‘glucose pen’, with disposable sensors.

The technique is also applied when electrochemical detection is used with a flow cell or flow injection cell (FIA). While batch measurements result in current levels, which depend on the concentration, a FIA setup shows peaks in the current.

A Typical Chronoamperometry Curve

A typical Amperiometric Detection curve obtained using capillary electrophoresis.

Cottrell plot

For more information about showing a Cottrell plot, see Cottrell equation.

More about Chronoamperometry (CA)