A USB-controlled potentiostat/galvanostat for thin-film battery characterization. (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dobbelaere, Thomas; Vereecken, Philippe M.; Detavernier, Christophe
• Is Part Of: HardwareX. Volume 2(2017)
• Page Start: 34
• Page End: 49
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: Electrochemistry -- Li-ion battery -- Potentiostatic -- Galvanostatic -- Cyclic voltammetry -- Python; Scientific apparatus and instruments -- Periodicals; Laboratories -- Equipment and supplies -- Periodicals; Laboratories -- Equipment and supplies; Scientific apparatus and instruments; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 681
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2017.08.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2468-0672

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Abstract: This article describes the design of a low-cost USB-controlled potentiostat/galvanostat which can measure or apply potentials in the range of ±8 V, and measure or apply currents ranging from nanoamps to max. ±25 mA. Precision is excellent thanks to the on-board 20-bit D/A-convertor and 22-bit A/D-convertors. The dual control modes and its wide potential range make it especially suitable for battery characterization. As an example use case, measurements are presented on a lithium-ion test cell using thin-film anatase TiO2 as the working electrode. A cross-platform Python program may be used to run electrochemical experiments within an easy-to-use graphical user interface. Designed with an open hardware philosophy and using open-source tools, all the details of the project (including the schematic, PCB design, microcontroller firmware, and host computer software) are freely available, making custom modifications of the design straightforward.