Electrochemical methods in analytical chemistry use electrical potentials to measure the concentration of species in a sample.
Examples include:
Voltammetry.
Amperometry.
Potentiometry.
Conductometry.
Coulometry.
These techniques are often used for the analysis of biological, environmental, and industrial samples.
Electrochemical Cell:
An electrochemical cell is a device that uses electrical energy to produce a chemical reaction or generates electrical energy from a chemical reaction.
It has two electrodes, an anode, and a cathode, placed in an electrolyte solution.
The electrodes are connected to an external circuit that allows the flow of electrons.
The flow of electrons generates a potential difference between the electrodes, causing ions in the electrolyte to move and produce a chemical reaction.
Salt Bridge provides the passage for ions movement without mixing the solutions.
In a battery, the cell generates electrical energy through the reaction between the electrodes.
Potentiometry:
Potentiometry is a type of electrochemical analysis that measures the potential difference (voltage) between two electrodes in a solution to determine the concentration of a particular species in the sample. It is based on the principle that the potential difference is directly proportional to the concentration of the species in the solution.
Conductometry:
Conductometry is a type of analytical technique in electrochemistry that measures the electrical conductivity of a solution to determine the concentration of ions in the sample.
Characteristics
Classical Methods
Instrumental Methods
Basis
Reliance on chemical reactions and separations.
Reliance on electronic instruments and devices.
Type of Analysis
Often qualitative analysis based on visual observations.
Capable of both quantitative and qualitative analysis.
Equipment
Traditional glassware (e.g., beakers, flasks, burettes).
Advanced instruments (e.g., spectrophotometers, chromatographs, mass spectrometers).
Automation
Limited automation; manual operations.
Higher automation with computer-controlled systems.