Modern Electrochemistry Demo: From Data Collection to AI Analysis

In this blog post, I’ll walk you through a live demonstration where I perform a linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) experiment and then analyze the data using AI (Gemini) to extract key electrochemical parameters via Tafel plot analysis. This workflow is designed to be simple, modern, and inspiring—especially for undergraduate teaching labs.

Part 1: Data Collection Using a Potentiostat

Setup & Experiment

1. Electrode & Solution:

   • Used a screen-printed electrode (modern, no messy cables!).

   • Placed a 50 µL drop of 5 mM ferricyanide solution on the electrode.

2. Instrumentation:

   • Controlled the experiment via a smartphone-connected potentiostat.

   • Parameters:

     • Start potential: -200 mV

     • Stop potential: +700 mV

     • Scan rate: 100 mV/s (fast, for demo purposes)

     • Current range: 100 µA

3. Data Acquisition:

   • Started the measurement—real-time current vs. time was displayed.

   • Data automatically uploaded to the cloud for later retrieval.

Why This Workflow?

• Student-friendly: Screen-printed electrodes make electrochemistry more approachable.

• No cables, no clutter: Modernizes the lab experience.

• Cloud-based data storage: Easy access for analysis.

Part 2: AI-Powered Data Analysis with Gemini

After collecting the data, I exported it as a CSV file and used Gemini (a free, powerful AI tool) to analyze it. Here’s how I structured the prompts:

Step 1: Plot the Raw Data

• Prompt:
  “Please plot current (I) vs. potential (E) from my CSV file.”

• Correction:
  “Note: I is in microamps (µA), E is in millivolts (mV). Please replot with correct units.”

Step 2: Convert to Current Density

• Prompt:
  *”The electrode diameter is 3 mm. Please convert current to current density (µA/cm²).”*

Step 3: Switch to SI Units

• Prompt:
  “Convert all units to SI: current density → A/m², potential → V.”

Step 4: Generate a Tafel Plot

• Prompt:
  “Please make a Tafel plot (potential on x-axis, log(current density) on y-axis).”

Step 5: Crop Data & Perform Linear Regression

• Prompt:
  “Only analyze data where potential is between 0.167 V and 0.175 V.”
  “Perform linear regression in this region.”

Step 6: Extract Tafel Slope & Exchange Current Density

• Prompt:
  “Using the linear fit, calculate the Tafel slope (anodic region) and exchange current density.”

Results:

• Tafel slope: [value] V/decade

• Exchange current density: [value] A/m²

Why This Approach is Powerful

1. No Dedicated Software Needed – Just an AI tool (Gemini, ChatGPT, etc.).

2. Fast & Interactive – Adjust parameters on the fly.

3. Teaching-Friendly – Encourages students to engage with data analysis.

Challenges & Considerations

• AI isn’t perfect – You still need electrochemical knowledge to validate results.

• Prompt engineering matters – Small errors in defining the linear region can affect results.

• Tool availability – Free AI models may change pricing/features over time.

Final Thoughts

This demo shows how modern electrochemistry can be:
✅ Easy data collection (screen-printed electrodes, cloud storage).
✅ AI-assisted analysis (no need for complex software).
✅ Engaging for students (combining hands-on experiments with cutting-edge tech).

If you’d like a more detailed guide or similar demos, let me know in the comments!