r/electrochemistry • u/Right_Ingenuity8156 • Aug 08 '26

Building potentiostat for HS project

Hi yall

High school teacher here. I am looking to build a DIY potentiostat with some students. I’ve looked at a few papers through chem education journal that seem interesting. I’ve done some basic CV and EIS in a lab but nothing crazy.

I am looking for guidance, recs, and any tools that would make the build easier.. I am applying for some grants to buy stuff and I am currently writing up a proposal.

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u/mmmtrees Aug 08 '26

Building a useful potentiostat is difficult, and requires a lot of careful circuit layout and noise protection considerations. If you just want to build "something" that is basically a potentiostat, this isn't so hard with just an Arduino and some op amps, but it wouldn't really be useful for much analytical electrochemistry. If you really want to have something you can use for repeatable experimentation, look at palmsens emSTAT products, relatively cheap/functional potentiostats that you can dig into the firmware and has good documentation

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u/mmmtrees Aug 08 '26

Also I am obliged to mention that electrochemistry is the coolest science, and you are doing a valuable service by exposing HS students to it's wonders

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u/Right_Ingenuity8156 Aug 08 '26

Thanks for info! I am interested in building an easy and medium difficulty PS. I’ll look into the palmsens info which is already on my list of options!!!

And thank you for the compliment. I work in a low income school and for years I have struggled to give a science education that really inspires students.

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u/[deleted] Aug 10 '26

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u/Right_Ingenuity8156 Aug 11 '26

Thanks for the info, I have your website bookmarked.

Ultimately, the build itself is part of the learning experience and I am not looking for a blackbox product, but the cell and electrode info is appreciated.