Princeton Applied Research-VersaSCAN (Model:SDC)

SDC Overview

The VersaSCAN SDC integrates the Base with a VersaSTAT, a PTFE machined head, and a peristaltic pump.  The SDC technique confines the electrochemical measurement to the small droplet of electrolyte, defining the area of the electrode/electrolyte interface.  SDC adds spatial resolution to applications such as kinetics, corrosion, fluid-flow studies, and any application where a small area on a sample needs to be investigated without cutting the sample or subjecting areas to different electrolyte exposure times.

• Compatible Potentiostats:  VersaSTAT 3 / 3F /4

• Capable of running both constant bias/swept position plots for data maps and fixed-position/ dynamic signal plots for Cyclic Voltammetry, Tafel, EIS, etc.

• Capable of running experiments with flowing or static drop of electrolyte.

Scanning Droplet System (SDC) uses a compact peristaltic pump to force electrolyte through a small diameter tube and into a specifically designed head. This PTFE-based SDC head is machined to allow electrolyte to flow past an installed Reference Electrode and then to a port at the base of the head.

When the head is positioned sufficiently close to the sample a droplet forms between the head and sample. Tubing is also connected to an output port of the PTFE head. A second channel of the same peristaltic pump is then used to draw electrolyte past an installed Counter Electrode and out of the system.  SDC experiments can be configured to either:

• Apply a constant bias (potential, current or open (circuit) and increment position of the head creating a data map.

• Apply a static or dynamic electrochemical signal, such as a EIS experiment, a Tafel plot, or a Cyclic Voltammetry experiment as the head is kept in a fixed location.

Since electrochemistry occurs at an electrode/electrolyte interface, only the portion of the sample that is in contact with the droplet is being measured. This allows experiments to study a small area of a large sample, without cutting the sample and thus limiting edge effects.

When running, the SDC pump creates a flowing droplet. SDC’s pump velocity can be tuned to study different effects of flow rate.

SDC Specifications