New cyclic voltammetry method for examining phase transitions: Simulated results

We propose a new experimental technique for cyclic voltammetry, based on the first-order reversal curve (FORC) method for analysis of systems undergoing hysteresis. The advantages of this electrochemical FORC (EC-FORC) technique are demonstrated by applying it to dynamical models of electrochemical adsorption. The method can not only differentiate between discontinuous and continuous phase transitions, but can also quite accurately recover equilibrium behavior from dynamic analysis of systems with a continuous phase transition. Experimental data for EC-FORC analysis could easily be obtained by simple reprogramming of a potentiostat designed for conventional cyclic-voltammetry experiments.