Systems for Electrochemistry, Corrosion, and Energy Studies

If you are measuring the performance of a new type of fuel cell...
If you are developing a new battery technology...
If you need to investigate how a metal is corroding...
If you are making a novel solar cell...
or if you simply want to carry out a cyclic voltammetry experiment...

then we at Solartron Analytical can help. Our systems for Electrochemistry, Corrosion, and Energy Studies are acknowledged to be the best research tools available for this type of work, and their use in thousands of laboratories all over the world is testament to their outstanding performance.

Here are some example applications and techniques that show the range and power of our electrochemical test equipment:

Solartron Analytical equipment is able to characterize a wide range of cell technologies at a research and development level. Smaller batteries, supercapacitors and micro fuel cells, such as those used in mobile communications and PC applications can be tested directly by our potentiostat systems. For testing higher power cells, external power booster options may be added to the system. Single and multi-channel system configurations are available.

In addition to standard DC multi-channel experimental techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, charge / discharge cycling, and ohmic-drop measurements, Solartron equipment provides many specialized capabilities including anode / cathode impedance measurements, GSM / CDMA pulse tests, harmonic analysis and high speed ohmic drop analysis.

All of Solartron Analytical’s potentiostat systems are fully floating, allowing measurements to be taken in the most difficult circumstances. Our high performance systems include high voltage and femto ammeter options, providing many possibilities for testing extremely high impedance corrosion coatings. Our systems also provide equivalent circuit and Tafel data fitting techniques, voltage and current noise techniques (zero resistance ammeter), Linear Polarization Resistance measurements and corrosion result displays. We have ultra-sensitive systems that are able to measure and compare even the highest impedance coatings.

Solartron Analytical’s latest systems are designed to measure electrode processes on ultra-microelectrodes such as carbon nanotubes and Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) tips. Our femto ammeter measurement capability provides ultra-low current potentiodynamic and galvanodynamic DC measurements coupled with a comprehensive suite of electrochemical measurement techniques. In combination with our high sensitivity frequency response analyzers (FRA), extremely high impedance measurements are possible (>100 TΩ).

Solartron Analytical’s latest generation of electrochemical test equipment is able to measure at extremely high data acquisition rates (up to 1 MS/s), which is ideal for high speed sweep, pulse or step analytical techniques such as fast cyclic voltammetry CV and normal / differential pulse voltammetry NPV / DPV. High-speed analysis may be employed for any of the techniques allowing detailed investigation of voltage and current pulse waveform shapes.

Solartron’s measurement technology provides ultra-smooth scanned waveforms (for example in CV cyclic voltammetry and LSV linear sweep voltammetry), using very high sample rates and interpolation filtering to provide the precision and stability of digital waveforms while maintaining the smoothness of analog sweeps. Femto ammeter options may also be utilized for extremely sensitive current measurement applications.

The flexibility of the experiment sequencing allows any combination of techniques to be sequenced automatically and repeated using loops.

Our range of instruments allows rapid and accurate measurement of electrochemical phenomena. Covering DC and AC electrochemical analysis, the products include the powerful ModuLab modular system for research electrochemistry, the multichannel CellTest system, as well as a range of standalone potentiostats/galvanostats, impedance analyzers, multiplexers, and multistats. Application software includes the ModuLab suite as well as the popular ZPlot and CorrWare packages.

ModuLab System

This a high performance reference grade potentiostat / galvanostat system using a plug-and-play modular architecture to offer a wide range of features and benefits, allowing DC and AC impedance measurements. Options include frequency response analyzers, high voltage cell polarization, low current measurement capability, and power boosters.

The system is operated from a PC via the industry-standard Ethernet interface, using one of two software packages:

The ModuLab applications software
Zplot.Lab applications software. This package, developed for us by Scribner Associates, uses a similar interface to the software for our other systems, and so is ideal for users who wish to upgrade to the ModuLab system hardware while still retaining a familiar user interface.

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1470E Multichannel Potentiostat / CellTest System for Electrochemistry and Energy Storage Studies

Model 1470E 8 Channel Potentiostat/Galvanostat

Model 1400A Chassis for housing up to 8 model 1451A/1455A FRAs

The 1470E system provides eight fully independent potentiostat/galvanostat channels that allow all traditional DC tests to be performed. The system is operated from a PC using our CellTest software package, and connection is via an industry-standard Ethernet interface, allowing local or remote operation.

Options are available to add auxiliary DC voltage measurement channels to the system, and to process signals from E, J, K and T type thermocouples which permit temperature information to be collected at the same time as the data. It is also possible to control external devices such as power boosters, valves, relays, heaters, etc, and high current measurements are catered for by our range of external power boosters

The ability to perform AC impedance measurements can be added to the system by using one of the following methods:

Multiple Channel Impedance Measurements
If it is necessary to measure AC impedance in parallel on several channels then a separate Model 1451A or 1455A FRA is required for each active channel. These FRAs are housed in a Model 1400A chassis. The combination of a 1470E and 1400A with one or more FRA modules is known as the Solartron CellTest System.

Single Channel Multiplexed Impedance Measurements
In cases when measuring AC impedance can be carried out sequentially on each active channel (while the potentiostat maintains the DC condition), then the 1470E directly supports one single channel model 1252A or 1255B FRA.

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Other Systems (Single Channel)

Systems using Model 1287A Potentiostat/Galvanostat offering DC and, optionally, AC impedance capability

	The model 1287A is a research grade, high accuracy, wide bandwidth potentiostat/galvanostat with a full range of DC capabilities. Manual or computer control via an IEEE488 (GPIB) interface is standard, and the instrument is supported by our popular CorrWare and ZPlot software packages. In addition, when coupled to one of our frequency response analyzers (Models 1260A, 1255B, or 1252A - see below), the combination offers the scientist outstanding AC impedance measurement capabilities. Click here for more information
	Model 1260A Impedance/Gain-phase Analyzer (FRA) The model 1260A Impedance/Gain-Phase Analyzer is - without doubt - the most powerful, accurate and flexible Frequency Response Analyzer available today. In daily use by leading researchers wherever measurement integrity and experimental reliability are of paramount importance, the 1260A’s solid reputation is frequently endorsed in published research papers in fields such as: Corrosion studies Battery research and fuel cells Solar cells LCD's Bio-materials Ceramics / composites Electronic component development Civil engineering One of Solartron Analytical’s extensive range of precision products designed to provide cost effective solutions for DC and AC analysis in electrochemical and materials research, the 1260A offers an outstanding measurement specification for impedance spectroscopy, with a frequency range extending from 10 µHz to 32 MHz Click here for more information
	Model 1255B Frequency Response Analyzer Using the single sine technique the 1255B provides precise measurement of gain and phase between any two points in a system. This fully digital technique is used to assess the performance of both simple and complex systems - mechanical, electronic and electrochemical. For over 30 years Solartron Analytical have produced frequency response analyzers, instruments which are regarded throughout the world as industry standards. This unsurpassed knowledge and experience has been used to produce the 1255B, with its 1 MHz frequency range and 1 in 65 million frequency resolution. Click here for more information
	Model 1252A Frequency Response Analyzer The model 1252A offers equivalent performance to the 1255A, except that the upper frequency limit is 300 kHz Click here for more information

System using Model 1285 Potentiostat/Galvanostat offering DC only capability

The model 1285 is a high accuracy potentiostat/galvanostat that offers a full range of DC capabilities including cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical noise and galvanostatic experiments. Computer control only via the IEEE488 (GPIB) interface, the instrument is supported by our popular CorrWare and ZPlot software packages.

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System using Model 1280C Potentiostat/Galvanostat with built-in FRA offering DC and AC impedance capability

Compact, single box combined potentiostat and FRA allowing DC and AC measurements over the range 1 mHz to 20 kHz. Computer control only via the IEEE488 (GPIB) interface, the instrument is supported by a special version of CorrWare software

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