Pulsed Amperometric Detection (PAD)
Pulsed Amperometric Detection (PAD) is a technique used to detect certain classes of compounds, notably sugars and polyalcohols, among others. These compounds tend to foul the surface of an electrode, making ordinary constant-potential amperometric detection difficult.
With Pulsed Amperometric Detection a series of pulses (pulse profile) is periodically repeated. Pulsed Amperometric Detection can be used when higher sensitivity is required. Using pulses instead of constant potential might result in higher faradaic currents. PAD is also used when the electrode surface has to be regenerated continuously, for instance, to remove adsorbents from the electrode surface.