Affordable, easy-to-use potentiostat for cyclic voltammetry
The Ossila Potentiostat is a powerful measurement device for performing cyclic voltammetry. The device is the flagship product of our new electrochemistry range and is suitable for both experienced chemists and newcomers to the field. Available at a low price with free worldwide shipping and a hassle-free two year warranty, more people than ever can now access one of the most informative techniques for measuring and analysing the electronic properties of materials. No research or teaching lab should be without an Ossila Potentiostat.
Potentiostats are control and measurement devices designed to output a controlled potential. Unlike other voltage sources, potentiostats contain feedback circuitry between the output and measured potential. This enables them to maintain a set potential through a circuit with varying resistance by increasing or decreasing the output so that the measured potential remains constant (according to Ohm's Law).
Experiments which use three electrode cells to study the electrochemical properties of materials rely on potentiostats to measure and counteract the redox events taking place in the reaction. Potentiostats are therefore one of the most important pieces of equipment in the field of electrochemistry.
Key Features
To allow for a wide range of material characterisation, the Ossila Potentiostat is capable of outputting potentials of up 10 V and measuring currents as low as 10 nA. Easy-to-use PC software is included with the system and makes it straight-forward for anyone to run a scan and obtain a cyclic voltammogram.
Wide Potential and Current Range
The Ossila Potentiostat is capable of delivering potentials up to ±10 V and can measure currents between ±10 nA and ±150 mA over five ranges.
Quick and Easy
Set up is as simple as plugging it in and installing the PC software. Start measuring within minutes of unboxing the potentiostat.
Compact and Light
At only 12.5 x 18.5 cm, the small size of the Ossila Potentiostat enables it to fit into even the busiest laboratory.
Intuitive Software
Our intuitive PC software makes it faster and easier to perform cyclic voltammetry measurements.
Affordable Price
Low price with no hidden costs; cyclic voltammetry PC software is included and the standard package includes an electrochemical cell and electrodes.
Backed by the Ossila Guarantee
Enjoy expert support from our in-house scientists and engineers, free worldwide shipping, fast and secure dispatch, large order discounts, and our free two year warranty.
For the best value, choose the complete 'with cell' system. Included is everything you need to set up a three electrode cell for cyclic voltammetry: the potentiostat itself, our Cyclic Voltammetry PC software, electrochemical cell glassware, and one of each type of electrode (working, counter, and reference). For a reduced price, the potentiostat can also be purchased as a stand-alone unit.
What's Included
The following items are included as standard:
- Potentiostat
- Cable and crocodile clips
- Cyclic voltammetry PC software
- USB-B cable
- 24 V / 2 A DC power adaptor
If purchased with a cell, the following items are also included at a reduced cost (all available seperately):
- Electrochemical glassware
- Platinum disk working electrode (2 mm diameter)
- Platinum wire counter electrode (0.5 mm diameter)
- Non-aqueous Ag/Ag+ reference electrode
Applications
The Ossila Potentiostat has been designed specifically for performing cyclic voltammetry. Controlled by the included software, the system linearly cycles the applied voltage at the working electrode to create a duck-shaped plot of potential versus current. This plot, known as a cyclic voltammogram, reveals a number of important electrochemical properties about the material being investigated.
Measurements which can be taken with the potentiostat include:
- Reduction and oxidation potentials
- Reversibility of a reaction
- Electron transfer kinetics
- Energy levels of semiconducting polymers
For more information, please see the 'usage' tab.
How do Potentiostats Work?
Potentiostats are able to maintain a constant measured potential by using feedback circuitry between the output and measured potential to respond to changes in the resistance of the circuit (or electrochemical cell).
Potentiostatic experiements use a three electrode system consisting of a working electrode, a counter electrode and a reference electrode. The potential of the reference electrode remains fixed while the potentiostat varies the potential of the working electrode. The counter electrode completes the circuit and allows current to flow, counteracting the redox events taking place at the working electrode and ensuring that no current passes between the reference and working electrodes.
Why use a Three Electrode System?
Unlike in a two electrode system, using separate counter and reference electrodes allows you to control the potential between the working and reference probes while measuring the current between the working and counter probes. This makes electrochemical methods like cyclic voltammetry possible.
How does Cyclic Voltammetry Work?
In cyclic voltammetry, a linearly ramping potential is applied between the working and reference electrodes. This potential is cycled such that the ramp is applied in one direction, then in reverse, forming a triangular wave. Computer software allows the maximum and minimum potentials to be defined as well the number of cycles, the scan rate, and the current range. During the scan, the electrical current is measured between the working and counter electrodes and a plot, known as a cyclic voltammogram is produced.
For more information on, please refer to our extensive cyclic voltammetry guide. This covers the underlying theory of potentiometry and voltammetry and explains the experimental set up in more depth than is covered here.
Specifications
| Potential range | ±7.5 V |
| Potential compliance | ±10 V |
| Applied potential resolution | 333 µV |
| Applied potential accuracy | ±10 mV offset |
| Maximum current | ±150 mA |
| Current ranges | ±20 μA to ±150 mA (5 ranges) |
| Current measurement resolution | 50 nA (at 20 μA range) |
| Communication | USB-B |
| Overall Dimensions | Width: 125 mm Height: 55 mm Depth: 175 mm |
| Weight | 600 g |
Pricing and Options
The complete three electrode system comes with three electrodes and a high quality cell, included at a reduced price for purchasers of the Ossila Potentiostat. A lower price option is also available if you wish to buy the potentiostat without a cell. Both packages qualify for FREE worldwide shipping and our two-year equipment warranty.
| Price with cell | £1600 |
| Price without cell (potentiostat only) | £1300 |
The Ossila Potentiostat comes with control and measurement software for performing cyclic voltammetry. Software updates are also provided at no extra charge and are available to download from our website.
As with all of our software, data is saved to comma-separated value (.csv) files so that you can analyse it with your favourite tool. The settings you define are saved alongside your measurement data so that you always have a record of your experimental parameters. Profiles allow you to save commonly used settings configurations so that you can quickly repeat measurements without re-configuring the potentiostat, further speeding up your research.
Software Key Features
Our intuitive potentiostat software enables you to easily perform cyclic voltammetry. Simply set the current range, start potential, potentials at which the scan changes direction, scan rate, and number of cycles and click 'Measure'. Watch the measurement as it happens with live plotting of data.
Intuitively-designed user interface
Easy to use, start using the potentiostat to take electrochemical measurements within minutes
Live updating plot
Plot cyclic voltammograms in real time
Data saved to .csv file
Software agnostic data exports enable you to use your favourite analytical tools
Create settings profiles
Repeat cyclic voltammetry experiments without having to re-enter your settings
Software Requirements
| Operating System | Windows Vista, 7, 8, or 10 (32-bit or 64-bit) |
| CPU | Dual Core 2.5 GHz |
| RAM | 2 GB |
| Available Hard Drive Space | 100 MB |
| Monitor Resolution | 1280 x 960 |
| Communication | USB 2.0 |
Software Installation
To install the cyclic voltammetry PC software, download the latest version from our website or insert the supplied USB memory stick into your computer and run the ‘Ossila-Cyclic-Voltammetry-Installer-vX-X-X-X’ file.
On Windows 10, the necessary drivers are installed automatically when you first connect the Potentiostat to your computer. If you are using an older version of Windows you can find both 32-bit and 64-bit drivers either on the software download page or in the ‘SMU-Driver’ folder on the memory stick.
Please refer to the Potentiostat product manual for more information.
The Ossila Potentiostat has been designed to make it quick and easy to perform cyclic voltammetry. Purchase the complete package to get everything you need to set up your three electrode system and enjoy a significant discount on the cell and electrodes.
What Does Cyclic Voltammetry Measure?
Redox potential
The reduction and oxidation potentials of a material describe how readily it gains or loses electrons. Reduction occurs when a chemical gains electron(s), and oxidation is when a chemical loses electron(s). Redox potential is an intrinsic property of materials.
The reversibility of a reaction
How reversible a given electrochemical reaction is. For a completely reversible reaction, the concentration of oxidised species and reduced species should be in equilibrium.
Electron transfer kinetics
A quantitative description of electrochemical reversibility; how fast or slow the transfer of electrons is in a reaction. For a reaction to be reversible, electron transfer must be sufficiently fast.
Energy levels of semiconducting polymers
The energy levels of semiconducting materials. This is particularly useful for photovoltaic applications as it provides an estimate for the energy of the highest occupied (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO).
Setting Up the Potentiostat for Cyclic Voltammetry
The Ossila Potentiostat is controlled by the (free to download and use) cyclic voltammetry PC software. To get started, simply set up the physical aspects of your experiment and launch the software.
The experimental set up for cyclic voltammetry consists of a potentiostat connected to a three electrode electrochemical cell containing the electrolyte solution. Once the electrodes have been placed in the cell, they can be connected to the sockets on the front of the Ossila Potentiostat using the supplied cable and crocodile clips. The red socket connects to the working electrode, the black socket connects to the counter electrode, and the blue socket connects to the reference electrode.
We also recommend switching on the potentiostat 30 minutes prior to use. This will allow it to warm up and reach a stable temperature, which will help to ensure a stable measurement.
Controlling and Using the Potentiostat
Once you have set up your three electrode electrochemical cell and connected it to the potentiostat, performing Cyclic Voltammetry takes only a few clicks. The potentiostat will be detected automatically on starting the PC software, and from here the current range, potentials, scan rate and number of cycles can all be specified. When you are ready to start the scan, click “Measure” and watch in real time as the test is performed and a cyclic voltammogram is generated.
The system will sweep the potential between the working electrode and reference electrode while measuring the current between the working electrode and counter electrode. This will be repeated for the specified number of cycles. If ‘Save After Measurement’ is turned on, the measurement data and settings will be saved as CSV file once the sweep has finished.
To the best of our knowledge the technical information provided here is accurate. However, Ossila assume no liability for the accuracy of this information. The values provided here are typical at the time of manufacture and may vary over time and from batch to batch.