Design, characterization and exploratory applications of a computer-based instrument for pulse voltammetry at stationary electrodes

A computer-based instrument was chosen to investigate the analytical utility of pulse voltametry at stationary electrodes. Normal or differential pulse waveforms could be generated by software which used programmable interval timers interfaced to the computer for control of pulse lengths and times of data acquisition. A previously derived general equation giving the current for a reversible reaction at any time after an arbitrary number of step functional potential changes of arbitrary duration and direction is presented and discussed. The effects of changing various parameters in this equation were tested using the oxidation of 9, 10-diphenylanthracene at a platinum electrode in acetonitrile as a test system.