A Practical Beginner’s Guide to Cyclic Voltammetry

• Published in: Journal of chemical education Vol. 95; no. 2; pp. 197 - 206
• Main Authors: Elgrishi, Noémie, Rountree, Kelley J, McCarthy, Brian D, Rountree, Eric S, Eisenhart, Thomas T, Dempsey, Jillian L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Easton American Chemical Society and Division of Chemical Education, Inc 13.02.2018; Division of Chemical Education, Inc and ACS Publications Division of the American Chemical Society; American Chemical Society
• Subjects: Analytical chemistry; Chemistry; Data acquisition; Data Collection; Data Interpretation; Distance learning; Equations (Mathematics); Graduate studies; Independent Study; Inorganic Chemistry; Learning Modules; Measurement; Self instruction; Students; Textbooks; Tips; Training; Voltammetry; Graduate Education/Research; Upper-Division Undergraduate; Analytical Chemistry; Textbooks/Reference Books; Distance Learning/Self Instruction; Electrochemistry; Inquiry-Based/Discovery Learning; Inorganic Chemistry
• ISSN: 0021-9584; 1938-1328
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.7b00361

Despite the growing popularity of cyclic voltammetry, many students do not receive formalized training in this technique as part of their coursework. Confronted with self-instruction, students can be left wondering where to start. Here, a short introduction to cyclic voltammetry is provided to help the reader with data acquisition and interpretation. Tips and common pitfalls are provided, and the reader is encouraged to apply what is learned in short, simple training modules provided in the Supporting Information. Armed with the basics, the motivated aspiring electrochemist will find existing resources more accessible and will progress much faster in the understanding of cyclic voltammetry.