Electrocatalysis & Fuel Cells
Electrocatalyst Testing: Water Splitting, Fuel Cells and Photoelectrochemistry
Methods and equipment to measure HER, OER, ORR, CO₂ reduction and photoanode performance: overpotential, Tafel slope, active surface area, stability and Faradaic efficiency.
- ±2 A / ±30 Vcurrent and compliance for catalysis
- iR compensationmore accurate overpotential
- RRDE & Faradaic efficiencywith the CS2350M bipotentiostat
- Up to ±100 Aboosters for electrolysers
What do we measure for an electrocatalyst?
Electrocatalysts speed up reactions such as the hydrogen (HER) and oxygen (OER) evolution reactions in water splitting, the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cells, and CO₂ (CO₂RR) and nitrogen (NRR) reduction. Performance is judged by the overpotential needed to reach a given current density (commonly 10 mA/cm²), the Tafel slope, long-term stability and, for reactions with several products, Faradaic efficiency.
According to the Corrtest brochure, its potentiostats with ±2 A maximum current and ±30 V compliance suit electrocatalysis, and IR-drop compensation helps measure the overpotential of catalyst electrodes accurately.
Methods and parameters
| Method | Parameter | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| iR-compensated LSV | Overpotential at 10 mA/cm², onset potential | Report potentials vs RHE; state the iR compensation percentage |
| Tafel plot from LSV | Tafel slope (mV/dec), mechanism clues | Take it from the kinetic region, not mass transport |
| EIS | Charge-transfer resistance Rct | At a fixed overpotential |
| CV in the non-Faradaic region | Double-layer capacitance Cdl → electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) | Several scan rates, plot current vs scan rate |
| Chronoamperometry / chronopotentiometry | Stability over tens of hours | Compare LSV before and after |
| RDE / RRDE | Electron number (Koutecký–Levich), H₂O₂ yield in ORR | RRDE needs a bipotentiostat and rotator |
| Potentiostatic electrolysis in an H-cell | CO₂RR / NRR Faradaic efficiency | Products analysed separately by GC/NMR |
| Photocurrent, Mott-Schottky | Light response, flat-band potential, carrier density | Quartz cell and light source |
Key formulas
E(RHE) = E(Ag/AgCl) + 0,197 V + 0,0591 · pHFor saturated KCl Ag/AgCl at 25 °C. For Hg/HgO (1 M KOH) the constant is about 0.098 V; ideally calibrate the reference against a hydrogen electrode.
η (OER) = E(RHE) − 1,23 V η (HER) = 0 − E(RHE)Calculated after iR correction: E_corrected = E − i·Rs.
FE (%) = z · n · F / Q × 100z = electrons per product molecule, n = moles of product measured, F = 96485 C/mol, Q = total charge.
Recommended models
The Corrtest brochure recommends the CS350M, CS310M, CS1350Pro and boosters for electrocatalysis, and the CS2350M for Faradaic efficiency and RRDE.
| Product | Best for | Price | Purchase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrtest CS350M (EIS to 1 MHz, ±2 A) | LSV, Tafel, ECSA, EIS and stability for lab-scale catalysts. | Rp 167.884.000 | Buy online |
| Corrtest CS1350Pro (±5 A) | Large electrodes and high current densities up to ±5 A. | Rp 183.885.000 | Buy online |
| Corrtest CS2350M bipotentiostat (2 channels) | RRDE (disk and ring) and Faradaic efficiency. | Rp 190.026.000 | Buy online |
| Corrtest CS2020B 20 A current booster | Larger electrolysers and stacks up to ±20 A. | Rp 132.425.000 | Buy online |
Store catalogue prices before 11% VAT and shipping; subject to change. Stock and delivery time are confirmed in the quotation.
Cells, electrodes and accessories
| Accessory | Purpose | Price | Purchase |
|---|---|---|---|
| CS920 glassy carbon working electrode Ø4/5 mm | Support for catalyst inks | Rp 4.792.000 | Buy online |
| CS927 ALS RDE glassy carbon | Rotating disk electrode for ORR and HER | Rp 12.393.000 | Buy online |
| CS927 ALS RRDE | Glassy carbon disk + Pt ring for H₂O₂ detection | Rp 30.294.000 | Buy online |
| CS902 Hg/HgO electrode | Stable reference in KOH | Rp 3.526.000 | Buy online |
| CS915 graphite rod | Counter electrode for HER (avoids Pt dissolution) | Rp 1.653.000 | Buy online |
| CS913 platinum mesh 10 × 10 mm | High-area counter electrode | Rp 4.820.000 | Buy online |
| CS932S sealed H-cell | CO₂ / N₂ reduction with a separating membrane | Rp 8.318.000 | Buy online |
| CS933 quartz photoelectrochemical cell | Photoanodes and photocathodes under illumination | Rp 8.896.000 | Buy online |
| Nafion 117 membrane (20 × 20 cm) | Proton-exchange membrane for H-cells and fuel cells | Rp 5.266.552 | Buy online |
| Nafion D520 solution (20 mL) | Catalyst ink binder | Rp 4.642.020 | Buy online |
| CS942 electrode polishing kit | Restores glassy carbon surfaces | Rp 4.958.000 | Buy online |
RDE/RRDE rotators (RRDE-3A) and sealed photoelectrochemical H-cells are available on request. Catalyst supports such as graphene, carbon nanotubes and MXene are available from Nanografi.
Equipment packages
HER/OER Testing Package
Overpotential, Tafel, ECSA and stability of catalysts in alkaline media.
- Corrtest CS350MiR-compensated LSV, EISRp 167.884.000
- CS935 cell 50/100 mLThree-electrode cellRp 2.204.000
- CS920 glassy carbon Ø4/5 mmWorking electrodeRp 4.792.000
- CS902 Hg/HgOAlkaline referenceRp 3.526.000
- CS915 graphite rodCounter electrodeRp 1.653.000
- CS942 polishing kitElectrode careRp 4.958.000
ORR Package with RRDE
Electron number and H₂O₂ yield of ORR catalysts for fuel cells and metal-air batteries.
- Corrtest CS2350MTwo channels: disk and ringRp 190.026.000
- CS927 ALS RRDERing-disk electrodeRp 30.294.000
- CS935S sealed cell 50 mLSealed cell for O₂/N₂ saturationRp 4.131.000
- CS901 Ag/AgClReference electrodeRp 2.149.000
Estimate = sum of store catalogue prices per component, before 11% VAT and shipping. Components can be swapped to suit your methods and budget; the final price is in the formal quotation.
Frequently asked questions
Why must overpotential be iR-corrected?
Solution resistance adds a voltage drop that does not belong to the catalyst. Without correction the catalyst looks worse, especially at high current density.
Do I need a bipotentiostat for ORR?
One channel is enough for RDE. For RRDE, which measures the disk and ring simultaneously, you need a bipotentiostat such as the CS2350M.
Which counter electrode for HER?
Many researchers use a graphite rod so platinum from the counter electrode does not dissolve and deposit on the catalyst, inflating its apparent activity.
Can I measure photoelectrochemical cells?
Yes. Corrtest potentiostats have digital interfaces for photoelectrochemical studies; use a CS933 quartz cell and a light source such as a solar simulator.
Need help choosing?
Tell us about your samples, methods and budget. Our team will put together the equipment and supplies with a formal quotation.
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