Diagnostic Criteria for the Characterization of Electrode Reactions with Chemical Reactions Following Electron Transfer by Cyclic Square Wave Voltammetry

Theory for cyclic square wave voltammetry of electrode reactions with coupled chemical reactions following the electron transfer is presented. Theoretical voltammograms were calculated following systematic variation of empirical parameters to assess their impact on the shape of the voltammogram. From the trends obtained, diagnostic criteria for this mechanism were deduced. When properly applied, these criteria will enable non-experts in voltammetry to assign the electrode reaction mechanism and accurately measure reaction kinetics.