Comparison between double pulse and multipulse differential techniques

The most common differential pulse techniques are analyzed and their responses are compared. Depending on whether or not the initial conditions are re-established before the application of each double pulse we distinguish between double pulse and multipulse differential techniques. The nomenclature employed in the literature is clarified to avoid future confusion.The differences and similarities between the double pulse and multipulse responses are studied for electrode processes of any degree of reversibility, analysing the advantages and disadvantages of each method. The effect of the electrode size is also discussed, establishing the conditions under which the voltammograms obtained by different techniques are coincident or not.

► A complete analysis of the most usual differential pulse techniques is carried out.
► A new terminology is proposed to well distinguish between different methods.
► Comparison between double pulse and multipulse differential techniques is reported.
► The signal of slow electrode processes strongly depends on the potential-time program.
► At microelectrodes the double pulse and multipulse variants become coincident.