Square Wave Voltammetry (SWV)

Square wave voltammetry performs potential scanning using symmetric square wave pulses superimposed on a stepped potential baseline. The technique measures current continuously at high sampling rates to capture both forward and reverse electrochemical responses.

Integration times for pulse and step currents can be optimized during post-measurement analysis to enhance signal quality. Optional OCV measurement and start ramp features provide safe initialization protocols for sensitive samples, with customizable scan rates for the preliminary ramp phase.

Parameter Description

Parameter	Name	Description	Unit
E start	start potential	starting DC potential can be set in absolute potential or relative to OCV	V
E step	step potential	potential of each step for the staircase function	V
E ampl	amplitude	rectangle amplitude of the differential pulse added to the staircase potenial	V
E end	end potential	maximum DC potential of the last step and pulse can be set in absolute potential or relative to OCV	V
t settle	settle time	settling time at E start before the first SWV step and pulse is stimulated	s
t period	pulse period	duration of each differential pulse period each pulse is half of the period time	s
I range	current range	expected maximum absolute current value for fixed current range selection (autoranging is disabled)	A
ODR	output data rate	number of measurement points per second note: the current is always measured at the maximum possible speed and integrated for the selected data rate	\(\frac{1}{s}\)
I min	minimum current	minimum current limit for premature determination	A
I max	maximum current	maximum current limit for premature determination	A

A Start Phase Potentiostatic can be enabled or disabled before the method is executed.

Measurement Result

Frequency optimization is critical for trace analysis applications, where sensitivity and resolution requirements are paramount. Like differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), the optimal frequency must be determined through systematic experimental variation to balance sensitivity, peak resolution, and measurement time.

SWV excels in kinetic analysis of electrode reactions through its unique bidirectional measurement capability. The technique simultaneously records forward currents (from positive pulses) and reverse currents (from negative pulses), enabling direct comparison of anodic and cathodic processes. The relative magnitudes and peak separations of these currents provide quantitative insights into reaction reversibility and electron transfer kinetics.

Custom Experiment Builder

This experiment is a combination of the following blocks:

• Open Circuit Measurement

• Ramp - Current Voltage Curve

• SWV - Square Wave Voltammetry