Bipotentiostats & RRDE Systems
Dual-channel bipotentiostats with RRDE enable advanced electrocatalysis and ORR studies. Perfect for mechanistic analysis in fuel cells, batteries, and sensing research.
CS2150M Bipotentiostat (2-channel, No EIS)
- Support 2-, 3- or 4-electrode system: Interface: Ethernet
- Potential control range: Primary Channel: ±10V second Channel: ±10V: Current control range: ±1A for each channel
CS2350M Bipotentiostat (2-channel, with EIS)
- Potential Range: ±10 V (customizable to ±12 V)
- Current Range: ±1 A
- EIS Frequency Range: 10 µHz to 1 MHz
Multi-Function RRDE system
- Rotation Speed: 50–9800 rpm (closed-loop control, <0.1% deviation)
- Speed Control: Manual or via potentiostat (remote control)
- Spin Coating: Supported (with integrated spin functionality)
- Motor Type: High-precision DC servo motor (Japan import)
- Electrode Shaft: Adjustable (vertical/horizontal/inverted)
Bipotentiostat and RRDE Package – Complete Dual-Electrode Solutions for Electrocatalysis, ORR, HER, CO2 reduction & Fuel Cell Studies
What is a Bipotentiostat?
A bipotentiostat is a specialised type of potentiostat designed to control and monitor two working electrodes simultaneously within the same electrochemical cell, alongside a single reference electrode and a single counter (auxiliary) electrode. The main distinction from a standard (monopotentiostat) system is the presence of two independently controlled working electrodes rather than just one.
Key Components and Operation
- Reference Electrode: Maintains a constant potential and serves as the reference point for both working electrodes.
- Counter (Auxiliary) Electrode: Completes the electrical circuit, allowing current to flow.
- Two Working Electrodes: Each can be operated at its potential, either independently or with a defined potential offset between them. This enables simultaneous monitoring and control of separate electrochemical reactions or processes.
How It Works
- The bipotentiostat can apply different potentials to each working electrode, allowing for the study of coupled electrochemical reactions or the detection of reaction intermediates.
- Working electrode 2 can either hold a constant potential or track the potential of working electrode 1 with a programmable offset, maintaining a constant potential difference between the two.
- Currents at both electrodes are measured independently, providing detailed insight into complex electrochemical mechanisms.
Common Applications
- Rotating Ring-Disk Electrode (RRDE) Experiments: Used to generate and detect reaction intermediates; the disk and ring electrodes are independently controlled to study reaction pathways and kinetics.
- Electrochemical scanning microscopy (SECM): Identifies surface polarization and electrochemical activity maps.
- Sensor Development: Enables simultaneous measurement from two sensors or comparison between a sensor and a blank.
- Transistor Gate Control: Used in ISFET (Ion-Sensitive Field Effect Transistor) studies.
Electrochemical Techniques Supported
Typical techniques performed with a bipotentiostat include:
- Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV)
- Cyclic Voltammetry (CV)
- Chronoamperometry (CA)
- Chronocoulometry (CC)
- Multistep Amperometry (MA)
Key differences between a single-channel potentiostat and a Bipotentiostat
| Feature | Monopotentiostat | Bipotentiostat |
|---|---|---|
| Working Electrodes | 1 | 2 |
| Reference Electrodes | 1 | 1 |
| Counter Electrodes | 1 | 1 |
| Control | Single WE | Both WEs independently |
| Typical Applications | General electrochemistry | RRDE, SECM, dual sensing |
A bipotentiostat is essential for advanced electrochemical experiments requiring the simultaneous control and measurement of two working electrodes, offering greater flexibility and insight into multi-step or coupled reaction systems.
Overview: Bipotentiostat Comparison
This report summarises the key features and differences between the CS2350M Bipotentiostat (with EIS) and the CS2150M Bipotentiostat (without EIS), both designed for advanced electrochemical experiments.
CS2350M Bipotentiostat (2-Channel, with EIS)
- Channels: 2 independent potentiostat/galvanostat channels, each with built-in EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy)
- Electrode Systems Supported: 2-, 3-, or 4-electrode configurations
- Interface: Ethernet connection
- Potential Control Range: ±10 V on each channel
- Current Control Range: ±1 A for each channel
- Potential Control Accuracy: 0.1% × full range ±1 mV
- Current Control Accuracy: 0.1% × full range
- It is accurate within 0.1% for the full range and 1 mV at all potentials
- Current Sensitivity: 1 pA
- Applications: Suitable for RRDE, hydrogen diffusion tests, electrosynthesis, battery research, corrosion studies, and more
- Special Features:
- Both channels can run experiments independently or jointly (e.g., RRDE, HDT)
- Full suite of electrochemical techniques, including EIS on both channels
- Real-time data saving, even during power loss
- 5-year warranty and lifetime free software upgrades
CS2150M Bipotentiostat (2-Channel, No EIS)
- Channels: 2 independent potentiostat/galvanostat channels, no EIS module
- Electrode Systems Supported: 2-, 3-, or 4-electrode configurations
- Interface: Ethernet connection
- Potential Control Range: ±10 V on each channel
- Current Control Range: ±1 A for each channel
- It is accurate within 0.1% for full range and 1 mV at all potentials
- Current Control Accuracy: 0.1% × full range
- Potential Resolution: 10 μV (>100 Hz), 3 μV (<10 Hz)
- Current Sensitivity: 1 pA
- Applications: Similar to CS2350M but without impedance spectroscopy; ideal for dual independent cell testing, RRDE, HDT, corrosion, battery, and materials research
- Special Features:
- True independent operation for each channel
- Can connect to two independent cells simultaneously
- Cost-effective solution for users who do not require EIS
Comparison between Bipotentiostat with EIS and without EIS
| Feature | CS2350M (with EIS) | CS2150M (No EIS) |
|---|---|---|
| Channels | 2 (independent, with EIS) | 2 (independent, no EIS) |
| EIS Capability | Yes (both channels) | No |
| Electrode Systems | 2-, 3-, 4-electrode | 2-, 3-, 4-electrode |
| Interface | Ethernet | Ethernet |
| Potential Control Range | ±10 V | ±10 V |
| Current Control Range | ±1 A | ±1 A |
| Potential Accuracy | 0.1% × range ±1 mV | 0.1% × range ±1 mV |
| Current Accuracy | 0.1% × range | 0.1% × range |
| Potential Resolution | 10 μV (>100 Hz), 3 μV (<10 Hz) | 10 μV (>100 Hz), 3 μV (<10 Hz) |
| Current Sensitivity | 1 pA | 1 pA |
| Typical Applications | EIS, RRDE, HDT, batteries, corrosion | RRDE, HDT, batteries, corrosion |
| Software/Support | Lifetime upgrades, 5-year warranty | Lifetime upgrades, 5-year warranty |
What is an RRDE (Rotating Ring-Disk Electrode) System?
A Rotating Ring-Disk Electrode (RRDE) system is a powerful electrochemical tool used to investigate complex reaction mechanisms, particularly those involving intermediate species. It consists of a disk electrode embedded concentrically within a surrounding ring electrode, both of which rotate at controlled speeds to enhance mass transport and hydrodynamic control.
Key Features of the RRDE Package
- Dual Electrode Geometry: Includes a central disk and outer ring electrode, typically made of platinum, gold, or glassy carbon.
- Hydrodynamic Control: The system includes a precision motor for speed regulation (up to 10,000 rpm), enabling steady-state conditions and reproducible data.
- Independent Potential Control: When paired with a bipotentiostat like the CS2350M or CS2150M, both the disk and ring can be controlled and measured simultaneously, allowing detection of short-lived intermediates.
- Interchangeable Electrodes: The RRDE system supports a wide range of disk-ring materials, giving flexibility for various redox and catalytic studies.
- Customisable Kits: ScienceGears offers RRDE systems with fully integrated cell holders, rotators, glass cells, and PTFE fittings to suit advanced experimental setups.
Common RRDE Applications
- Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR) Studies
- Hydrogen Peroxide Detection
- Fuel Cell and Electrocatalyst Research
- Radical Intermediate Detection
- Redox Kinetics and Pathway Analysis
By combining RRDE with a dual-channel bipotentiostat, researchers can extract detailed information on reaction pathways, diffusion coefficients, and catalyst performance in a single, unified experiment.
FAQs
What is the purpose of using a bipotentiostat in electrochemical experiments?
A bipotentiostat enables independent control of two working electrodes in the same electrochemical cell, allowing simultaneous monitoring of complex redox processes, reaction intermediates, and coupled mechanisms. It is especially useful in techniques like RRDE, SECM, and dual-electrode sensing applications.
How does a Rotating Ring-Disk Electrode (RRDE) system work?
An RRDE system uses a central disk and concentric ring electrode that rotate together at a set speed. The disk initiates a reaction, while the ring detects resulting intermediates or products. This design helps researchers study reaction pathways, measure collection efficiency, and quantify short-lived species in real time.
What are the main research applications of Bipotentiostat & RRDE systems?
These systems are widely used in electrocatalysis, oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) studies, fuel cell testing, hydrogen peroxide detection, corrosion research, battery diagnostics, redox cycling, and biosensor development.
Why is RRDE critical for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) studies?
RRDE systems are critical for ORR because they allow detection of intermediates like hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), which helps determine whether the ORR proceeds via a 2-electron or 4-electron pathway. This is essential for evaluating catalyst selectivity and performance in energy applications.
Can the CS2150M and CS2350M bipotentiostats be used with RRDE setups?
Yes, both CS2150M and CS2350M bipotentiostats from ScienceGears fully support RRDE experiments. They allow independent control of the disk and ring electrodes, making them ideal for mechanistic studies and kinetic analyses.
What is the difference between the CS2150M and CS2350M bipotentiostats?
The CS2350M includes EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy) on both channels, while the CS2150M does not. Both offer ±10 V range, 1 A current control, and dual-channel operation. CS2350M is ideal for users who require impedance analysis alongside RRDE and battery studies.
What electrode materials are typically used in RRDE systems?
Common RRDE electrode materials include platinum, gold, and glassy carbon. These materials are selected based on their electrochemical properties, catalytic behaviour, and compatibility with the target redox reactions.
How do you interpret data from an RRDE experiment?
In RRDE, the disk current reflects the primary reaction, while the ring current detects intermediates or products. By analysing the ratio between ring and disk currents, researchers can derive collection efficiency, reaction rate, and mechanistic insights.
Is an RRDE system suitable for detecting hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)?
Yes, RRDE is one of the most effective techniques for H₂O₂ detection. The disk reduces oxygen to form H₂O₂, and the ring oxidises it back to O₂, allowing real-time quantification and kinetic study of intermediate formation.
What software features are included with ScienceGears bipotentiostat systems?
ScienceGears systems include lifetime-free software with support for CV, LSV, CA, CC, EIS (in CS2350M), and dual-channel synchronisation. Real-time data logging, programmable control, and automatic data recovery during power loss are standard features.
Summary
ScienceGears offers two advanced bipotentiostat models for electrochemical research: the CS2350M Bipotentiostat (2-channel, with EIS) and the CS2150M Bipotentiostat (2-channel, No EIS).
CS2350M is best suited for advanced electrochemical research requiring impedance spectroscopy (EIS) on both channels, with the flexibility to run simultaneous or combined experiments. CS2150M offers similar core electrochemical capabilities but omits EIS, making it a cost-effective choice for users who do not require impedance analysis. Both models provide robust, independent dual-channel operation, high sensitivity, and broad application support in electrochemistry.