Chronopotentiometry Experimental Sequence

  1. Framework™ creates a runner window, and the Chronopotentiometry.EXP script is run in this window.
  2. The script creates the Setup dialog box, which becomes the active window and accepts changes in the experimental parameters. This Setup box remembers the experimental settings from the last time this script was run. To restore the parameters to the values defined in the script, click the Default button. If the Advanced Pstat Setup is on, a second Setup dialog box with hardware configuration details becomes the active window, allowing you to modify the hardware configuration used during the experiment.
  3. The script next obtains the use of the potentiostat specified during Setup and opens the data file using the Output File name. If the potentiostat is in use or the file cannot be opened, the script returns you to the Setup dialog box.
  4. The file header information is written to the data file prior to data-acquisition. If the experiment is aborted, the output file contains only this information. This header information includes: Tags identifying possible analyses, The current time and date, A list of the Setup parameters and hardware configuration
  5. If Init. Delay is on, then the cell is turned off and the specimen’s Eoc is measured for the time specified as the Init. Delay time, or until the potential stabilizes to a value less than the stability setting. A plot of potential versus time is always displayed. The last measured potential is recorded as Eoc. If Init. Delay is off, this step is skipped and Eoc is assumed to be 0.0 V vs. Ref.
  6. The script conditions the electrode if Conditioning was specified in the Setup. Conditioning is done by applying a fixed potential for a defined time with the stirrer turned on. A plot of current versus time is displayed during the Conditioning. No data are saved during this step.
  7. Finally the data-acquisition process starts. The potential of the sample is held at the Pre-step Current for the Pre-step delay. This information is stored with the data file and is intended to show that the user has selected a voltage where no appreciable current occurs. The current is then stepped to Step 1 Current and held at that value for Step 1 time. The current is then stepped to Step 2 Current and held at that value for Step 2 time. If Step 2 time is zero then the second step is skipped. Voltage and current readings at fixed time intervals (Sample Period) are taken during the steps in Chronopotentiometry. Note: If at any time the measure voltage exceeds the Limit Voltage, the current step is terminated, and the experiment proceeds to the next segment of the applied signal. Plots of E and I vs. time are displayed during the steps.
  8. The data are written to the output file and the script cleans up and halts. When the scan is over, the cell is turned off. The acquired data are written to the output file. The script then waits for you to click the Skip button. When you do so, the script closes everything that’s open, including the runner window.