SOLID-STATE POLAROGRAPHIC INSTRUMENTATION - A UNIQUE APPROACH TO VERSATILITY

A completely transistorized controlled-potential polarographic instrument, similar in design to the Kelley, Fisher, and Jones Q-1988 unit, is described and subjected, for the first time, to a detailed circuit analysis using a commonly cited cell equivalent circuit. The analysis indicates that the potentiostat section is unconditionally stable and capable of moderately fast response, and that the current-voltage transducer responds quickly enough to justify the assumption that the working electrode is maintained at ground potential. A versatile function generator, which serves as a source of a wide variety of ramp and triangular waveforms, and which is controlled by computer-compatible digital logic, is also described. Construction details, observations on instrument performance and calibration stability, and suggestions for possible improvement are included. © 1969, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.