Derivative voltammetry: a simple tool to probe reaction selectivity

In our report, N. Plainpan et al. demonstrate the use of derivative voltammogram method (∂J/∂E analysis) to predict the selectivity of the photo-driven oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HFM) on WO₃ photoanode as a function of applied potential using only information obtained from linear sweep voltammogram (LSV). By comparing the ∂J/∂E curves to the relitively complex electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis, we conclude that ∂J/∂E provides additional information that helps to give insight about the nature of surface states. Overall, we believe that this method could be used to give a quick estimation of the selectivity of the reaction as the function of applied potential for other photoelectrosynthesis systems. Check out our report in full as this link.