This is the first monograph in a series devoted to electrochemistry. Although the
market is rich in books and series on electrochemical themes, it is surprising that
a number of serious topics are not available. With the series “Monographs in Electrochemistry”
an attempt will be made to fill these gaps. I am very thankful to the
publishing house of Springer for agreeing to publish these books, and for the great
freedom given to me in choosing the topics and the most competent authors, and
generally for the fantastic cooperation with the publisher. I am especially thankful
to Mr. Peter W. Enders.
Square-wave voltammetry is a technique that is readily available to anyone applying
modern electrochemical measuring systems. Its use can be beneficial in analytical
applications as well as in fundamental studies of electrode mechanisms. Upon
first glance, it seems that the analytical application of square-wave voltammetry is
rather simple and does not afford a deep knowledge of the background, however,
this is certainly not the case. For an optimal exploitation of the potential of squarewave
voltammetry, it is essential to know how the signal is generated and how its
properties depend on the kinetics and thermodynamics of the electrode processes.
For a detailed analysis of electrode mechanisms, this is indispensable, of course,
in any case. I am very happy that three leading experts in the field of square-wave
voltammetry have agreed to write the present monograph, which in fact is the first
complete book on that technique ever published in English. All three authors have
a long and distinguished publishing record in electroanalysis, and especially in the
theory and application of square-wave voltammetry. I hope that this monographwill
make it much easier for potential users in research, industrial, and environmental
laboratories, etc., to apply square-wave voltammetry for their benefit.