Voltammetry on solid electrode

In this third section, we look at the various ways in which the performance of voltammetric techniques on solid electrodes can be improved with a view to their application in chemical analysis. Improvements in selectivity and lowering the detection limit (to reach the trace analysis range) are the main areas of focus. With regard to selectivity, voltammetric techniques can be improved by deriving voltammograms. This latter approach has given rise to derivative voltammetry, which has enjoyed considerable success in polarography. As far as improving the detection limit is concerned, it has been shown that, in most cases, this can be achieved either by minimizing the residual current by filtering the capacitive current, or by amplifying the faradic current as a result of the accumulation of electroactive substance near the surface of the indicator electrode. These approaches gave rise to pulse voltammetry and redissolution voltammetry respectively.