Skip to main content
Log in

How to optimize the analytical performance of differential pulse voltammetry: one variable at time versus Design of Experiments

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Differential pulse voltammetry has often been considered one of the most suitable techniques for electroanalytical applications. However, the voltammetric parameters used are often chosen without a proper examination of their effect on the resulting response. In this lab experiment, the students are guided to a more informed choice of the electrochemical parameters to apply depending on the application sought. In the first part of the experiment, we highlight how each voltammetric parameter affects the signal-to-noise ratio and the resolution of the voltammetric response of hydroquinone, taken as an example of the application of this electrochemical technique. A Design of Experiment is then applied to optimize the intensity and the sharpness of the oxidation peak response. Finally, an analogous approach is followed to optimize the peak resolution of an equimolar hydroquinone and catechol mixture to achieve the best separation among the peak current response for the two electrochemical processes. Thanks to these two experiments, the student will identify the correct choice of parameters to optimize as key factors for achieving the best analytical performance in specific applications.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Molina A, González J (2016) Pulse voltammetry in physical electrochemistry and electroanalysis: theory and application. Springer, Switzerland

    Book  Google Scholar 

  2. Scholz F (2015) Voltammetric techniques of analysis: the essentials. ChemTexts. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40828-015-0016-y

  3. Elgrishi N, Rountree KJ, McCarthy BD, Rountree ES, Eisenhart TT, Dempsey JL (2018) A practical beginner’s guide to cyclic voltammetry. J Chem Educ. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.7b00361

  4. Bard AJ, Faulkner LR (2001) Electrochemical metohds fundamentals and applications. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  5. Zhang H, Li S, Zhang F, Wang M, Lin X, Li H (2017) Simultaneous detection of hydroquinone and catechol on electrochemical-activated glassy carbon electrode by simple anodic and cathodic polarization. J Solid State Electrochem. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-016-3426-x

  6. Ahammad AJS, Ullah MA, Hoque MM, Mamun MA, Alam MK, Anju AN, Mozumder MNI, Karim R, Sarker S, Kim DM et al (2017) Signal enhancement of hydroquinone and catechol on their simultaneous determination. https://doi.org/10.20964/2017.08.64

  7. Ahammad AJS, Sarker S, Rahman MA, Lee J-J (2010) Simultaneous determination of hydroquinone and catechol at an activated glassy carbon electrode. Electroanalysis. https://doi.org/10.1002/elan.200900449

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Zanardi C, Ferrari E, Pigani L, Arduini F, Seeber R (2015) Development of an electrochemical sensor for NADH determination based on a caffeic acid redox mediator supported on carbon black. Chemosensors. https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors3020118

  9. Moro G, Barich H, Driesen K, Montiel NF, Neven L, Mendonça CD (2020) Unlocking the full power of electrochemical fingerprinting for on-site sensing applications. Anal Bioanal Chem. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-020-02584-x

  10. Moro G, Bottari F, Sleegers N, Florea A, Cowen T, Moretto LM, Piletsky S, De Wael K (2019) Conductive imprinted polymers for the direct electrochemical detection of β-lactam antibiotics: the case of cefquinome. Sensors Actuators B Chem. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2019.126786

  11. Ojani R, Raoof J-B, Maleki AA, Safshekan S (2014) Simultaneous and sensitive detection of dopamine and uric acid using a poly(L-methionine)/gold nanoparticle-modified glassy carbon electrode. Chinese J Catal. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1872-2067(14)60022-X

  12. Ahmed RK, Saad EM, Fahmy HM, El Nashar RM (2022) Multivariate experimental design: towards more reliable electrochemical detection. Curr Opin Electrochem. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coelec.2021.100880

  13. Bello A, Giannetto M, Mori G, Seeber R, Terzi F, Zanardi C (2007) Optimization of the DPV potential waveform for determination of ascorbic acid on PEDOT-modified electrodes. Sensors Actuators B Chem. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2006.04.066

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Brereton RG (2018) Experimental design. In: Chemometrics, Wiley, New York.

Download references

Acknowledgements

F.C. acknowledges the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice for the support of his work within this University as Visiting Scholar.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

All authors contributed to study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by GM, AS, AU, FC, and CZ. All authors contributed in writing different sections of the manuscript, as well as to revise and approve the overall text.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chiara Zanardi.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (XLSX 45 KB)

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Moro, G., Silvestri, A., Ulrici, A. et al. How to optimize the analytical performance of differential pulse voltammetry: one variable at time versus Design of Experiments. J Solid State Electrochem 28, 1403–1415 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-023-05753-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-023-05753-x

Keywords

Navigation