An Introduction to Electrochemistry for Undergraduates

This paper describes an undergraduate laboratory for general chemistry that can be used to supplement the teaching of oxidation–reduction reactions. The laboratory experiment also introduces students to basic electrochemical techniques and instrumentation. Using inexpensive materials to make carbon-paste electrodes, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is oxidized with the cyclic voltammetry technique. The students learn to operate the potentiostat, prepare electrodes from inexpensive materials, and oxidize the vitamin C in over the counter tablets.