Theory of square wave voltammetry of three step electrode reaction

• Simulation of three step electrode reaction.
• Square wave voltammetry using cathodic and anodic scan directions.
• Determination of transfer coefficients.

A theory of square wave voltammetry of three step electrode reaction of amalgam forming ions is developed for a thin mercury film electrode. It is assumed that the first and the second electron transfers are kinetically controlled while the third one is reversible and that the intermediates are thermodynamically unstable. The responses to the cathodic and anodic scan directions are analyzed.