Selecting A Technique
A number of different electrochemical techniques are available in the epsilon software, depending upon the version. For example, the most basic version has cyclic voltammetry (current vs. potential for a linear potential sweep), chronoamperometry, time base, bulk electrolysis (current vs. time at a constant potential), and chronpotentiometry (potential vs. time at a fixed current). These techniques have different applications, which will be discussed in detail in other sections. Other techniques, such as normal pulse and square wave voltammetries, are only available as optional extras (at an additional cost).
There are two ways to select a technique:
Opening a stored data file
Setting up a new experiment
Open
Selecting Open from the File menu (or using the F3 key) will generate a standard Windows file dialog box, from which a previously saved data file can be loaded (Fig1) (note that the extension for the file name is specified by the technique; e.g., a cyclic voltammetry file has the extension .CV0).
Figure 1. Open file dialog box.
Upon opening, the experimental data is displayed (Fig2), and the stored parameters are entered in the appropriate dialog boxes. The graphic options available for the experiment window are discussed in more detail in the Data Analysis and Display section.
Figure 2. Opened experimental window.
If a second data file is loaded, the data for this experiment is displayed in a separate window. Although up to six data files can be opened and displayed simultaneously in separate windows, only one window can be active at any one time. The parameters entered in the various dialog boxes are associated with the active window, and experimental runs will use these parameters. The selected active window can be changed by clicking a different window.
The experimental windows can be dragged to a different position within the main window. Multiple windows can be tiled vertically, horizontally, or cascaded using the appropriate options in the Window menu.
Clicking the RIGHT mouse button in any experiment window will generate a pop-up menu (Fig3) with Select Graph and Data options appropriate for the technique specified for that window. The functions available in the pop-up menu are discussed in the relevant sections.
Figure 3. Right mouse button pop-up menu.
Cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry data files from the BASi 100B/W and CV-50W can also be imported into the epsilon software for comparison and data analysis using Read BASi 100W File in the File menu. If this imported data shows oxidation currents as positive, it should be read in as IUPAC data file; if the oxidation currents are negative, it should be read in as POLAROGRPAHIC data file. It is also important to note some editing of the header may be required: if the Number of Segments = 0, this number should be reset to the appropriate number (2 or 3), and any lines related to iR compensation must be deleted. In addition, only data files for which Sample Interval = 1 mV can be loaded.
New
Selecting New from the File menu or the New icon will generate a menu that lists the available techniques (Fig4) (this list can also be generated by selecting Select NEW Experiment from the Experiment menu or by using the F2 key).
Figure 4. Technique list.
It should be noted that there are some techniques that are labeled as DEMO. This label indicates that this technique is NOT active on this particular epsilon. However, it is possible to load a data file for that technique to examine the parameters and the typical output. If the RUN button is clicked when a DEMO data file is displayed in the active window, an error message will be shown. The technique list shown in F4 is the list for the basic epsilon (i.e., pulse techniques, stripping techniques, and multi-channel amperometry are NOT available).
Highlight the required technique, and click OK to confirm the selection. An experiment window containing an empty axis set is displayed (Fig5), and the appropriate parameters are set in the various dialog boxes. The graphic options available for the experiment window are discussed in more detail in the Data Analysis and Display section.
Figure 5. New experimental window.
Up to six experimental windows can be displayed simultaneously in separate windows by repeating the Open or New commands, although only one window can be active at any one time. The parameters entered in the various dialog boxes are associated with the active window, and experimental runs will use these parameters. The selected active window can be changed by clicking a different window.
The experimental windows can be dragged to a different position within the main window. Multiple windows can be tiled vertically, horizontally, or cascaded using the appropriate options in the Window menu.
Once the technique has been selected, the various experimental parameters (e.g., potential range, sensitivity) can then be entered using the Change Parameters dialog box.
Clicking the RIGHT mouse button in any experiment window will generate a pop-up menu (Fig6) with Select Graph and Data options appropriate for the technique specified for that window. The functions available in the pop-up menu are discussed in the relevant sections.
Figure 6. Right mouse button pop-up menu.
