Chapter 1.

General Information
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Introduction

The Model 700D series are computerized general purpose potentiostat /

bipotentiostats / galvanostat. A typical application involves a rotating ring-disk electrode
(RRDE), but these systems can also be used for other applications where dual channel
measurements are essential, such as dual channel electrochemical detection. The system
contains a fast digital function generator, a high speed data acquisition circuitry, a
potentiostat / bipotentiostat and a galvanostat (not available to certain models). The
potential control range is ±10V and the current range is ±250mA. The instrument is
capable of measuring current down to picoamperes. The steady state current of a 10 µm
disk electrode can be readily measured. The instrument provide very wide dynamic range
in experimental time scales. For instance, the scan rate in cyclic voltammetry can be up
to 1000V/s with a 0.1mV potential increment or 5000V/s with a 1mV potential
increment. The potentiostat / galvanostat uses 4-electrode configuration, so that it can be
used for liquid/liquid interface measurements, and to eliminate the effect of contacting
resistance of connectors and relays for high current measurements. Multiplexed data
acquisition systems allow an external input signal (such as spectroscopy signals to be
recorded simultaneously with electrochemical data. The instrument will also
automatically re-zero both potential and current, so that periodic re-calibration of the
instrument can be avoided.

The above is the block diagram of the instrument. Only one current channel is
shown. The 2nd channel has the same filtering and gain stages as the primary channel.
The instrument is controlled by an external PC under Windows environment. It is easy to
install and use. The user interface follows Windows application design guide. If you are
familiar with Windows application, you can use the software even without operation

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manual or on-line help. The commands, parameters, and options are in terminology that
most chemists are familiar with. The toolbar allows quick access to the most commonly
used commands. The help system provides context sensitive help. It is systematic and
complete.
The instrument provides many powerful functions, such as file handling,
experimental control, graphics, data analyses, and digital simulation. Some of the unique
features include macro command, working electrode conditioning, color, legend and font
selection, data interpolation, visual baseline correction, data point removing, visual data
point modification, signal averaging, Fourier spectrum, and equations relating to
electrochemical techniques.
The 600D series can update waveform at 10M Hz and acquire data at 1M Hz with
16-bit resolution and low noise. The software is stored in the FLASH memory so that we
can update software in the instrument by e-mail, instead of mailing EPROM chips.
The 700D series has a serial port (default) and a USB for data communication
with the PC. You can select either serial port or USB by changing the jumper setting on
the board. However, you can use only one of them.
The 700D series also has a true integrator for chronocoulometry.
A 16-bit highly stable bias circuitry is used for current or potential bias. This
allows wider dynamic range is ac measurements. It can also be used for re-zero the dc
current output.
When used as single channel potentiostat, the instrument is identical to the model
600D series. The bipotentiostat is realized by adding the 2nd channel potential control and
current measurement board. When it is used as bipotentiostat, the 2nd channel can be
controlled at a independent constant potential, to scan or step at the same potential as the
first channel, and to scan with a constant potential difference with the first channel.
Techniques available for the second channel include CV, LSV, SCV, CA, DPV, NPV,
SWV, and i-t.

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Electrochemical Techniques

Sweep Techniques
• Cyclic Voltammetry
• Linear Sweep Voltammetry
• Rotating Disk Electrode Voltammetry
• Tafel Plot
• Step-Sweep Functions

Step Techniques
• Chronoamperometry
• Chronocoulometry
• Staircase Voltammetry
• Tast Polarography
• Differential Pulse Voltammetry and Polarography
• Normal Pulse Voltammetry and Polarography
• Differential Normal Pulse Voltammetry and Polarography
• Square Wave Voltammetry
• Step-Sweep Functions
• Multi-Potential Steps

A.C. Techniques
• A.C. Voltammetry and Polarography
• Phase Selective A.C. Voltammetry and Polarography
• Second Harmonic A.C. Voltammetry and Polarography
• A.C. Impedance Spectroscopy
• A.C. Impedance versus Time
• A.C. Impedance versus Potential

Stripping Techniques
• Linear Sweep Stripping Voltammetry
• Differential Pulse Stripping Voltammetry
• Normal Pulse Stripping Voltammetry
• Square Wave Stripping Voltammetry
• A.C. Stripping Voltammetry
• Phase Selective A.C. Stripping Voltammetry
• Second Harmonic A.C. Stripping Voltammetry

Controlled-Current Techniques
• Chronopotentiometry
• Chronopotentiometry with Current Ramp
• Multi-Current Steps

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• Potentiometric Stripping Analysis

Amperometric Detection Techniques

• Amperometric i-t Curve
• Differential Pulse Amperometry
• Double Differential Pulse Amperometry
• Triple Pulse Amperometry
• Integrated Pulse Amperometric Detection

Other Techniques
• Bulk Electrolysis with Coulometry
• Hydrodynamic Modulation Voltammetry
• Electrochemical Noise Measurement
• Open Circuit Potential - Time

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Software Features

User Interface
• 32-bit Windows application with multi-document interface
• toolbar: quick access to the most commonly used commands
• status bar: technique, file status, and command prompt
• pull-down menus
• dialog boxes
• full mouse support
• WYSIWYG graphics
• comprehensive and context sensitive help

File Management
• open data files
• save data file
• delete files
• list data file
• convert to text files: for exporting data to other software, such as spreadsheet
• text file format
• print present data
• print multiple data files
• print setup

Setup
• technique: full repertoire of electrochemical techniques
• experimental parameters: extremely wide dynamic range
• system setup: communication port, polarity of potential and current axis
• hardware test: digital and analog circuitry diagnostic test

Instrument Control
• run experiment: real time data display in most cases
• pause/resume during run
• stop running experiment
• reverse scan direction during run: for cyclic voltammetry
• repetitive runs: automatic data save, signal averaging, delay or prompt
• run status: stir, purge, iR compensation, smooth after run, RDE and SMDE control
status
• macro commands: edit, save, read, and execute a series of commands
• open circuit potential
• iR compensation: automatic and manual compensation, solution resistance, double
layer capacitance and stability test

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• analog filter setting: automatic or manual setting of potential, i/V converter, and
signal filters
• cell control: purge, stir, cell on, SMDE drop collection, pre-run drop knock, and
stabilizing capacitor
• step functions: multiple cycles of step function generator, for electrode cleaning or
other purposes
• working electrode conditioning before running experiment
• rotating disk electrode: (All 700D models) rotation speed, on/off control during
deposition, quiescent time, run, and between runs
• stripping mode: enable/disable, deposition potential and time, stir and purge
conditions

Graphic Display
• present data plot: data plot together with header, filename, parameters, and results
• re-scaling and labeling: axis expression, re-scale and text insertion
• overlay plots: several sets of data overlaid for comparison
• parallel plots: several sets of data plotted side by side
• zoom in: visually selected zoom area
• manual results: visually selected baseline
• peak definition: shape, width, and report options
• X-Y Plot: for your own data points
• peak parameter plot: ip~v, ip~v1/2, Ep~log(v) plots
• semilog plot: current-potential semilog plot
• graph options: video or printer options, axis, parameters, baseline, results, grids,
axis inversion, axis freeze, axis titles, data sets, XY scales, reference electrode,
header, and notes
• color and legend: background, axis, grid, curves, legend size, thickness, and display
intervals
• font: font, style, size and color for axis labels, axis titles, header, parameters, and
results
• copy to clipboard: for pasting the data plot to word processors

Data Processing
• smoothing: 5-49 point least square and Fourier transform
• derivatives: 1st - 5th order, 5-49 point least square
• integration
• convolution: semi-derivative and semi-integral
• interpolation: 2× - 64× data interpolation
• baseline fitting and subtraction: selectable fitting function, polynomial order and
potential range for best fitting and baseline subtraction; particularly useful for trace
analysis
• linear baseline correction: visually selected baseline, slope and dc level
compensation

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• data point removing

• data point modifying: visual data point modification
• background subtraction: difference of two sets of data
• signal averaging: averaging multiple sets of data
• mathematical operations: both X and Y data array
• Fourier spectrum

Analysis
• calibration curves: calculate the unknown concentration and the slope, intercept, and
correlation of the curve; plot the calibration curve; save and read the calibration data
• standard addition: calculate the unknown concentration and the slope and
correlation of the standard addition curve; plot the standard addition curve; save and
read the standard addition data
• data file report: calculate the unknown concentration from the saved data files based
on user defined peak potential range, species, and calibration information. An
analytical report in text format will be generated.; maximum four species of interest
can be defined
• time dependence: calculate the unknown concentration as the function of time from
the saved data files based on user defined peak potential range, and calibration
information; the concentration as function of time will be reported or plotted

Digital CV Simulation
• fast implicit finite difference algorithm
• reaction mechanisms: 10 predefined mechanisms (Model 720D and below); any
combination involving electron transfer, first- and second-order chemical reactions
(Model 730D/750D/760D)
• system: diffusive or adsorptive
• maximum equations: 12
• maximum species: 9
• simulation parameters: standard redox potential, rate of electron transfer, transfer
coefficient, concentration, diffusion coefficient, forward and reverse chemical
reaction rate constants, temperature, electrode area, and experimental parameters
• save simulation parameters
• read simulation parameters
• real time data display
• real time display of concentration profiles
• dimensionless current
• equilibrium data
• automatic search and determine over-determined equilibrium constants

Ac Impedance Simulation and fitting program

• visually equivalent circuit input
• automatic equivalent circuit parameters fitting

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View
• data information: date, time, filename, data source, instrument model, data
processing performed, header and notes
• data listing: data information and numerical data array
• equations: general equations and equations relating to various electrochemical
techniques
• clock
• toolbar
• status bar

Help
• context sensitive help
• index
• using help
• about the application

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System requirements

Operating System: PC with Microsoft Windows 95 / 98 / NT / Me / 2000 / XP

Communication between PC and instrument: RS-232 serial port or USB port
Output device: any printer or plotter supported by Windows

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Hardware Specifications

Potentiostat
Bipotentiostat
Galvanostat (Model 760D)
Potential: ±10 V for both channels
Current: ±250 mA for the summation of two channels
Compliance Voltage: ±12 V
Potentiostat rise time: < 1 µs
Four-Electrode Configuration
Input Impedance of Reference Electrode: 1012 Ω
Minimum Potential Increment in Sweep Techniques: 100 µV
Potential Update Rate: 10 MHz
Potential Scan Rate: 20,000 V/s
Maximum Sampling Rate: 1 M Hz (16-bit)
Current Measurement Range: 1×10-12 - 0.1 A/V in 12 ranges
True integrator for chronocoulometry
Input Bias Current: below 50 pA
Low Current Measurability: below 1 pA
Automatic Re-zeroing: both potential and current against drift
Cell Control: purge, stir, and knock
RDE Rotation Rate Control: 0-10V voltage output for 0 - 10000 rpm
Instrument Dimension: 12.5” (width) × 11” (depth) × 4.75” (height)
Weight: ~12 lb.

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