Electrochemical measurements in Electrocatalysis research

Electrocatalysis studies the acceleration of electrochemical reactions on catalyst surfaces, crucial for energy conversion technologies such as fuel cells, water electrolysis, CO₂ reduction, and hydrogen evolution. Understanding catalyst activity, selectivity, and stability is key to designing efficient systems. Electrochemical methods provide detailed insight into reaction kinetics, mechanisms, and degradation pathways.

Resources about electrochemical Electrocatalysis research

Application notes

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User manuals

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Webinar

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Youtube videos
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Key factors to consider when selecting a potentiostat for electrocatalysis research:

Wide current range: Able to measure on different materials and electrode sizes
High voltage compliance: Supports reactions requiring significant voltage such as oxygen evolution and CO₂ reduction
Fast scan rates: Captures rapid redox processes and transient catalytic behavior
EIS capability over broad frequency range: Enables detailed analysis of charge transfer and surface phenomena on catalyst layers
Multi-channel capability: Enables simultaneous testing of multiple catalysts
Temperature/pH control integration: Allows precise environment simulation during testing
Compatibility with RRDE: Studies Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) and detect reactive intermediates

What are your challenges in Electrocatalysis research?

The Metrohm Autolab RRDE system, featuring noise-free liquid contacts and the RRDE cell designed for ultra-clean experimental conditions, is the recommended accessory to be used together with the modular AUT302N for detecting reaction intermediates in electrocatalysis research.

Configurable setup for electrocatalysis research

Metrohm Autolab is the obvious choice when looking for complete solutions for electrocatalysis research. It offers the most versatile, reliable, and accurate equipment, accessories, and software with ready-to-use as well as customizable procedures for both routine and exploratory measurements, complemented by rapid and expert technical and application support. This combination ensures hassle-free studies of reaction mechanisms, kinetics, and electrochemical interface characterization.

Metrohm Autolab potentiostats/galvanostats

VIONIC powered by INTELLO

Single channel, all-in-one potentiostat/galvanostat
Dual-mode compliance voltage: ± 10 V / ± 50 V
Second sense (S2) for monitoring a second potential
Lowest current range: ± 1 nA; Maximum current: ± 6 A
EIS: up to 10 MHz maximum frequency
Seamless measurements with down to 1 µs sampling interval
True analog scan
RDE control
Computer-free operation with internal memory

Details

Autolab Modular line: AUT302N

Single channel modular potentiostat/galvanostat
Highest versatility, upgradeable with up to 11 optional modules
Compliance voltage: ± 30 V
Lowest current ranges: ± 10 nA (± 100 pA with ECD module); Maximum current: ± 2 A
± 20 A Booster option available
EIS: up to 1 MHz or 10 MHz maximum frequency, optional
True analog scan, optional
Bipot (BA) option available
R(R)DE control

Details

Discover all Metrohm Autolab potentiostats galvanostats

INTELLO and NOVA software features for electrocatalysis

Electrochemical Techniques and software features for electrocatalysis:

Hydrodynamic control for R(R)DE with true analog or staircase CV/LSV
True analog scan for the most accurate results for interfacial processes
Fast and standard chronoamperometry/chronopotentiometry methods
High-accuracy EIS with a maximum frequency of up to 10 MHz, with Potentiostatic and Galvanostatic EIS, Hydrodynamic EIS, Mott-Schottky Analysis, Integrated EIS data fitting with equivalent circuit modelling
iR drop measurement and automatic correction
Oscillation detection and cell protection with Cell On/Off switch
Insight Plots with automatic coloring and cycle selector
External EIS when using third party electronic loads or power supplies
Easy hyphenation with external devices for combining electrochemical techniques with other analytical methods such as UV-VIS, Raman, FTIR, SECM, EQCM, DEMS and more.

Discover the INTELLO and NOVA software features

Electrocatalysis specific accessories

Hydrodynamic measurements		Metrohm Autolab Rotating Disk Electrode (RDE) complete setup Compatible with 3 mm and 5 mm diameter disk electrodes, ideal for advanced electrochemical research with measurements under controlled hydrodynamic conditions Wide rotation speed range: 100 – 10000 rpm with 1 rpm resolution, manual or software integrated control Ultra clean and ultra-low noise achieved with frictionless liquid (Hg) contact ensuring pristine signal quality for sensitive experiments Seamlessly integrates with Metrohm cell vessels and other standard electrochemical cells. Complete setup includes: Motor controller, rotator, rotating disk electrode, and connection cable for integration with Autolab potentiostats
Hydrodynamic measurements		Metrohm Autolab Rotating Ring Disk Electrode (RRDE) complete setup Ultra-low noise, and ultra-clean dual liquid (Hg) contact rotating electrode designed for precise measurements under controlled hydrodynamic conditions for in-situ detection of reaction intermediates in electrochemical reaction mechanism studies Wide rotation speed range: 100 – 10000 rpm with 1 rmp resolution, manual or software integrated control Fully compatible with any Autolab potentiostat/galvanostat equipped with a bipotentiostat (BA) module Seamlessly integrates with the Metrohm Autolab RRDE cell, specially designed for electrochemical measurements carried out in ultra-clean conditions Electrode materials: Platinum (Pt), Gold (Au), and Glassy Carbon (GC) disks with Platinum (Pt) ring; theoretical collection efficiency of 24.8% Complete setup includes: Motor controller, rotator, rotating ring disk electrode, and connection cable for integration with Autolab potentiostats
Temperature controlled cell setup		Metrohm Autolab Microcell HC Precision temperature control for electrochemical experiments, delivering reliable and reproducible data for temperature-sensitive applications. Specially designed cell stand with a range of air-tight electrochemical cells for different applications Manual or software-controlled heating and cooling of the measuring cells by using a Peltier element with hassle-free cell connections to the potentiostat, streamlining your workflow and maximizing efficiency
Localized electrochemical measurements		Sensolytics Scanning Electrochemical Microscope (SECM) Metrohm Autolab potentiostats hyphenated with Sensolytics SECM instruments enables localized measurements for monitoring the electrochemical activity of a sample surface in corrosion, batteries, electrocatalysis, biosensors, and other applications Integrated control of the Metrohm Autolab potentiostat within the Sensolytics software Compact and customizable system, upgradeable at any time Supports a wide range of techniques: Scanning Droplet Cell (SDC), Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM), Scanning Electrochemical Cell Microscopy (SECCM) with capillary-based techniques, high-resolution SECM with nanoelectrodes and constant-distance mode SECM (Option Shearforce) are available Advanced features such as software-based tilt compensation, AC-SECM, multidimensional techniques (EC methods at each grid point), localized photoelectrochemical methods
Faraday cage		Autolab Faraday Cage Provides optimal electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding for sensitive electrochemical experiments, especially when measuring small signals Effectively blocks unwanted interference signals, ensuring the integrity of your experimental results With earth terminal inside the cage for easy and direct grounding to your Autolab potentiostat Spacious design for corrosion cells, Autolab R(R)DE rotator, Autolab Optical bench to fit inside the large Faraday cage Available in 2 different sizes : (WxDxH) 38x21x38 cm³ or 38x30x60 cm³
RRDE cell		Metrohm Autolab RRDE cell for electrocatalysis Complete electrochemical cell designed for forced convection (hydrodynamic) experiments using the Metrohm Autolab R(R)DE rotators All components in contact with the electrolyte are removable and resistant to aggressive cleaning procedures, making the cell suitable for typical electrocatalysis experiments or sensitive interfacial electrochemistry measurements Fits in the large Autolab Faraday cage Complete cell includes: a glass vessel (300 mL) fitted with a thermostatic jacket for temperature control, lid with 7 standard 14/15 conical holes, counter and reference electrode, thermometer, and gas inlet
Working electrodes		Metrohm Autolab 3 mm disk electrodes Electrode tips with 3 mm active material disk in a PEEK shaft for the best chemical compatibility Available with different disk materials such as: Platinum (Pt), Gold (Au), Glassy Carbon (GC), Silver (Ag) Directly compatible with the Autolab RDE and RRDE rotators for hydrodynamic measurements (as rotating disk electrodes) Conveniently used in static conditions with a pin connector (M4) and a Metrohm electrode shaft with integrated 4 mm banana connector
		Metrohm Autolab 5 mm disk electrodes Electrode tips with 5 mm active material disk and a PEEK shaft for the best chemical compatibility Available with different disk materials such as: Platinum (Pt), Gold (Au), Glassy Carbon (GC), Silver (Ag) and other metals. A blank shaft is also available which can be filled with your own material Directly compatible with the Autolab RDE and RRDE rotators (only for Pt, GC and Au) for hydrodynamic measurements (as rotating disk electrodes) Conveniently used in static conditions with a pin connector (M4) and a Metrohm electrode shaft with integrated 4 mm banana connector
		Metrohm Autolab Ring-Disk electrodes Dual, ring-disk electrode with 5 mm active material disk (0.375 mm thick) and a concentric Platinum ring, separated by a 0.375 mm electrically insulated, leak-free gap Theoretical collection efficiency of 24.9% PEEK shaft material for the best chemical compatibility Available with different disk materials : Platinum (Pt), Gold (Au), or Glassy Carbon (GC) Directly compatible with the Autolab RRDE rotators for hydrodynamic ring-disk measurements
		Microelectrodes Comprehensive range of microelectrodes for exploring fundamental electrochemical principles, developing novel sensors, or investigating complex biological systems Exceptional sensitivity, reduced Ohmic drop, enhanced mass transport, minimal sample volume, suitable for a broad range of electrochemical techniques Available in a wide range of materials (e.g., Pt, Au, Ag, Ir) and disk diameters (10, 25, 50, 100, 500 µm) Fit directly into the Metrohm electrode shaft with integrated 4 mm banana connector for convenient and precise connection to your potentiostat Due to the low measured current signals, the use of an Autolab Faraday cage is recommended for electrochemical measurements with microelectrodes
Counter (Auxiliary) electrodes		Platinum sheet counter electrode Can be used as a counter electrode for most electrochemical measurements Consists of a thin platinum sheet (~1 cm² surface area), embedded into a glass shaft Highly inert, robust and easy to clean Integrated 4 mm banana connector for convenient and precise connection to your potentiostat Standard 14/15 conical fitting, fits directly into the Metrohm Autolab measurement cells without any additional adaptors
Reference electrodes		Metrohm double-junction Ag/AgCl reference electrode General purpose, refillable, silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) reference electrodes suitable for aqueous and non-aqueous applications Double-junction with low impedance, low leakage ceramic diaphragm, with glass shaft material, suitable for electrochemical measurements sensitive to (external) ionic impurities Refillable and freely selectable reference and bridge electrolyte according to the application requirements Integrated 4 mm banana connector for convenient and precise connection to your potentiostat Standard 14/15 conical fitting, fits directly into the Metrohm Autolab measurement cells without any additional adaptors
Current Booster		Autolab Booster10A Increase the applied and measured current up to ± 10 A Compatible with the Autolab Multichannel M204 and compact AUT204 Compatible with FRA32M for EIS measurements on batteries and fuel cells Four-quadrant operation and fast response time
Current Booster		Autolab Booster20A Increase the applied and measured current up to ± 20 A Compatible with the Autolab modular AUT302N Compatible with FRA32M for EIS measurements on batteries and fuel cells Four-quadrant operation and fast response time