Electrochemical measurements in Electrolysis research

Electrolysis research focuses on driving chemical reactions using electrical energy, converting compounds into value-added products or studying fundamental reaction mechanisms. It underpins technologies such as:

Water electrolysis for hydrogen production
CO₂ reduction to fuels and chemicals
Oxygen and chlorine evolution
Electrosynthesis of fine chemicals

Understanding reaction kinetics, electrode processes, and mass transport phenomena is critical to optimizing efficiency, selectivity, and stability. Electrochemical techniques provide real-time insight into these processes, enabling the design of more effective electrolyzers and electrochemical reactors.

Resources about electrochemical Electrolysis research

Application notes

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User manuals

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Webinar

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Key factors to consider when selecting a potentiostat for electrolysis research:

Wide current range: To study both small lab-scale electrodes and practical devices under realistic current densities
High voltage compliance: Supports reactions requiring significant voltage such as oxygen evolution and CO₂ reduction
Fast scan rates: Capture transient phenomena during rapid electrochemical reactions
Advanced EIS capability: Analyze charge transfer, mass transport, and double-layer effects
Multi-channel capability: Parallel testing of multiple electrodes or catalysts
Computer-free operation: Operate the potentiostat independently without connecting a laptop, freeing your computer for other tasks in the lab/ at home

What are your challenges in Electrolysis research?

All instruments manufactured by Metrohm Autolab have both galvanostat and potentiostat functionality. VIONIC and the modular 302N instruments have the specifications and functionalities which best fit the electrolysis application. When using them in Galvanostatic mode, the applied current and the duration are precisely controlled.

Configurable setup for electrolysis research

Metrohm Autolab offers complete solutions for electrolysis, for both electrocatalyst research and electrolyzer testing. Your research will benefit from the versatility, reliability, and the specifications of the equipment, accessories, and software with ready-to-use but customizable procedures for both routine and exploratory measurements. Additionally, the rapid and expert technical and application support will ensure quick and hassle-free investigations and characterizations of electrode materials and testing of electrolyzers.

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
Maximum current: ± 6 A
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 electrolysis

Electrochemical Techniques and software features for electrolysis:

Fast and standard chronoamperometry/chronopotentiometry methods
True analog scan for the most accurate results for interfacial processes
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 user-defined rules, automatic or manual manual Cell On/Off switch
Easily control third-party external accessories such as electronic loads and power supplies
External EIS when using third party electronic loads or power supplies
NOVA SDK (Software Development Kit) allows the control of Autolab instruments from popular external applications such as LabVIEW, Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), Python scripting, and other custom environments
Computer-Free Operation (Untethering) with storage of up to 10 million data points in VIONIC’s internal memory and can be seamlessly transferred back to your computer once reconnected
Automatic data saving and export to ensure data integrity

Discover the INTELLO and NOVA software features

Accessories for Electrolysis Research

Current Boosters		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 Boosters		Autolab Booster20A Increase the applied and measured current op 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
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
Dynamic load interface		Metrohm Autolab Dynamic load interface Enable high power applications by connecting and controlling third-party programable electronic loads and power supplies Full control through NOVA software, allowing convenient adjustment of applied current, voltage, and other experimental parameters Perform either DC or AC (EIS) measurements at high currents creating limitless possibilities in the field of energy storage and energy generation research
Voltage multiplier		Metrohm Autolab Voltage Multiplier Expand the voltage range up to 100 V or to the compliance limit of your potentiostat by connecting the Voltage Multiplier to your Metrohm Autolab potentiostat display the real measured values by using the “calculate signal” functionality in NOVA software Perform either DC or AC (EIS) measurements at high voltages creating limitless possibilities in the field of energy storage and energy generation research; combination with the dynamic load interface is possible.
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
		Electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) crystals Gold (Au) and Platinum (Pt) coated quartz electrodes with a 6 MHz resonance frequency for fundamental and applied electrochemical studies in many applications such as (bio)sensor development, plating, corrosion, among others Compatible with the Metrohm Autolab Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance module with 13.6 mm crystal and 6.7 mm electrode diameter Double-sided crystal design with integrated contacts on both sides, providing extended electrode lifetime and convenience High sensitivity with detection limits in the range of ng/cm²
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
		Metrohm Autolab EQCM compatible counter electrode Gold (Au) coil counter electrode specially designed for the Autolab EQCM cell Highly inert, simple, and easy to clean Connect your Autolab potentiostat cables through the 4 mm banana to alligator clip adaptors which are included with every potentiostat
		Metrohm Autolab Rod electrodes Inert rod electrodes which can be used as counter electrodes in your electrochemical measurements 2 mm outer diameter rods available in GC, Pt, Au and Stainless Steel, in various lengths Connect directly to the Metrohm electrode shaft with standard 14/15 conical fitting and integrated 4 mm banana connector for convenient and precise connection to your potentiostat. When used with the Metrohm shaft, it fits directly into the Metrohm Autolab measurement cells without any additional adaptors
Reference electrodes		Metrohm single-junction Ag/AgCl reference electrode General purpose, refillable, silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) reference electrode with c(KCl) = 3 mol/L as reference electrolyte, suitable for aqueous applications Sigle junction with low impedance, low leakage ceramic diaphragm, with glass shaft material, suitable for most of the electrochemical measurements across various applications 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
		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
		Metrohm Autolab EQCM compatible Ag/AgCl reference electrode Silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) mini reference electrode specially designed for the Autolab EQCM cell Saturated KCl gel electrolyte sealed in a glass shaft (not refillable) with ceramic diafragm, for low leakage purposes. Connect your Autolab potentiostat cables through the 4 mm banana connector directly attached to the reference electrode
Adaptors and connectors		Alligator clips Alligator clips directly attachable to the standard 4 mm banana connectors Convenient and precise connection of your Autolab potentiostat to electrodes with non-standard connection used in your electrochemical cell Available in 2 different sizes in red and black