Echem Analyst Software

Echem Analyst Software................................................................................................ 1

Introduction to This Guide .............................................................................................. 2
General Information and Overview ................................................................................. 3
Installation ................................................................................................................... 3
File Formats ................................................................................................................. 3
To Open a Gamry Data File......................................................................................... 3
Working with Plots in Echem Analyst ........................................................................... 5
Changing the Axes on a Plot (the Curve Selector): ........................................................ 8
Selecting Portions of a Curve for Analysis ..................................................................... 8
Selecting Portions of a Curve for Analysis ..................................................................... 9
Cutting and Pasting Images and Data ......................................................................... 10
To Get On-Line Help:................................................................................................ 11
Common Tools and Tabs ............................................................................................... 13
Accessing Common Tools ........................................................................................... 13
List of Common Tools ................................................................................................ 13
Experimental Setup.................................................................................................... 15
Experimental Notes.................................................................................................... 16
Hardware Settings...................................................................................................... 17
Open Circuit Voltage (Corrosion Potential) Data........................................................ 19
Analysis of Cyclic Voltammetry Data.............................................................................. 20
Cyclic Voltammetry Special Tools .............................................................................. 20
Integrating the Voltammogram................................................................................... 22
Modeling Polarization Resistance Data .......................................................................... 24
Polarization Resistance Special Tools ......................................................................... 24
Finding the Polarization Resistance ............................................................................ 24
Modeling Potentiodynamic (Tafel) Data......................................................................... 26
Tafel Fit...................................................................................................................... 26
E Log I Fit ................................................................................................................... 27
Modeling EIS Data ......................................................................................................... 28
Bode and Nyquist Plot View ...................................................................................... 28
EIS Special Tools ........................................................................................................ 29
Fitting the Data to the Equivalent-Circuit Model ........................................................ 33
Appendix....................................................................................................................... 36
Headings in Data-File Columns.................................................................................. 36
Current Conventions According to Framework and Echem Analyst......................... 37
To Edit Visual Basic Scripts:........................................................................................ 37
Simulating an EIS Curve ............................................................................................. 38
Index ............................................................................................................................. 40
Windows, Excel, and Powerpoint are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Origin
is a registered trademark of OriginLab Corporation. DigiSim is a registered trademark of
Bioanalytical Systems, Inc. Contents of this manual copyright 2011 by Gamry Instruments.

Introduction to This Guide

The Echem Analyst is Gamrys dedicated data-analysis program, the companion to
Gamrys data-acquisition program called Framework. Data files generated by
experiments in Gamry Framework then can be analyzed in the Echem Analyst. The
Echem Analyst is a single program that runs data-analysis for all types of experiments,
such as those used in DC Corrosion, EIS and Physical Electrochemistry.
The Echem Analyst is designed with the specific functions to make data analysis as
straightforward as possible. This manual will explain the most common analysis routines.
The tools discussed here in the examples are common to many data files created by
other experiments. This document is a guide, and is not intended to have the same scope
as the on-line help or a complete operating manual. In order to create a concise
document, we assume the user has a working knowledge of Windows -based
applications. Details on common functions, such as opening, saving, and closing files, are
intentionally ignored, so as not to obscure the goal of this guide.
This textbox indicates a helpful hint to know about Echem Analyst.

General Information and

Overview
Installation
Echem Analyst installs separately from other Gamry software. If Echem Analyst is
not installed yet, you can find it on the CD-ROM, orif you already own one of
our potentiostatson our website at www.gamry.com.
You may install copies of the Echem Analyst on multiple computers. Often users
prefer the convenience of performing data-analysis at an office workstation, rather
than the laboratory setting.

File Formats
Gamry data files acquired using Framework software have the extension*.DTA.
DTA files are ASCII text, and therefore may be opened directly into various
programs, such as Excel or Origin. When DTA files are opened in Echem
Analyst, then saved, their extension becomes*.GData. Gdata files include
information on curve-fits and graphing options, thus Gdata files are only viewable
in Echem Analyst.

Do not delete your DTA files! They are the raw data and may need
to be reloaded for certain analyses, such as area normalization.

To Open a Gamry Data File

There are several different methods to open data files in the Echem Analyst:
1. Launch the Echem Analyst icon on your desktop. Then use the
File\Open function.
2. Use the link on your desktop to open the My Gamry Data folder.
Double-click on the data file. You may have to instruct your
computer to associate the*.DTA extension with the Echem
Analyst program.
3. There are two quick ways to open a recent Gamry Data File.
a. A recently generated file can be opened using the hotlink in the Analysis menu in the
Gamry Framework. (The last eight generated data files are listed there for quick access.)
The Echem Analyst automatically launches and opens your selected data file.
b. A recently opened file in the Echem Analyst is shown at the bottom of the File menu. This
is similar to how other Windows -based programs display links to Most Recently Used
documents.

By default, files acquired in the Framework are saved into the My Gamry Data
folder. A shortcut for My Gamry Data installs on the Windows desktop. You can
change this default under Tools\Options, which opens the Gamry Analysis
Framework Options window. Choose the General tab, and change the Path for
each type of data file as desired.

Don't change the directory for Analysis Script Files. These are the
VBA programs that do the actual analysis.
The data set appears in the main window. The menu items, tabs, and toolbar are
adjusted for the particular type of data set you chose. In the example below, a
Potentiostatic EIS data set is shown:

Note the tab-based display. The Experimental Setup tab displays all the
information from the parameters used to run the experiment, such as Voltage,
Time, etc. The Experimental Notes tab stores any notes written into the setup
screen in Framework. The Open Circuit Voltage tab shows the voltage measured
during the Initial Delay of the experiment. The Hardware Settings tab records
information on the filters, ranges, gains. Additional information on date of last
calibration, software version, etc. is also stored here.

Working with Plots in Echem Analyst

Introduction
Echem Analyst boasts a number of graphical tools to help you get the most
information out of your data. Once you open a data set, these tools appear in the
toolbars immediately above the plot:
In the data file, Framework writes a line that indicates the type of experiment
used to generate that file. Echem Analyst displays both general and specific menus
containing the analysis routines pertinent to your experiment.

Toolbars:

The main toolbars are:

General
Toolbar

General functions for replotting and printing in various formats

Selection
Toolbar

Tools to select and view data points

The following charts are references for buttons on the default toolbars.
Descriptions of the most commonly used functions are highlighted in blue.

General Toolbar Functions

Button Name
Copy to
clipboard

Copy the selection to the Windows clipboard. Can paste directly in

Microsoft programs for reports or presentations.

Gallery

Choose, via the dropdown menu, from scatter (no line), line, curve, and
steps between data points

Color

Choose the color of the selection from the dropdown menu. To change the
color menu, use the Palette button on the PaletteBar.

Vertical Grid

Toggle between showing and hiding vertical grid lines on the plot

Horizontal Grid

Toggle between showing and hiding horizontal grid lines on the plot

Legend Bar

Toggle between showing and hiding a legend bar underneath the plot

Data Viewer

Toggle between showing and hiding numerical data to the left of the plot

Properties

Open the GamryChart Properties window, so that you can adjust effects,
colors, markers, 3-D effects, lines, etc.

3D/2D

Toggle between two-dimensional and three-dimensional graphing

Rotate

Rotate the three-dimensional graph. Only active if the graph is 3D.

Z-clustered

Offset two data sets so that they can be distinguished within one plot.
Only operates in 3D mode.

Zoom

Zoom in on a selected region. Also open a zoom slider at the bottom of the
graph for continuous adjustment of zoom.
Open the Page setup window to adjust orientation of plot and printer
margins

Print preview

Action

Print

Print the plot

Tools

Open a dropdown menu, for choices of various toolbars and viewers to

appear on the screen

Selection Toolbar Functions

Button Name

Action

Show curve selector

Open the Curve Selector area to the right of the plot, so that

Select x region

you can
choose which data are used as the x-, y-, or y2-coordinate, and
which curve is the active trace.
Select a desired region of the plot across the x-axis. Commonly

Select y region

used

to specify a region for Quick-Integrate.

Select Portion of Curve
Select a desired region of the plot across the y-axis Commonly
using the Mouse
Select Portion of Curve used
to specify a region for Quick-Integrate.
using the Keyboard
Draw Freehand Line

Left-click on the active trace using the mouse to select a section

Mark Found Peaks

of
the curve

Apply Template

Open an area to the right of the plot, in which you can choose a
segment of the trace numerically. See below for more details.
Draw a line on the plot

Save Template
Show Disabled Points

Place a tag on peaks that the software finds. A portion of the

curve
must be selected first.
Open the Apply User-Defined Chart Template window, and
choose a previously created template to apply to the plot
Open the Save User-Defined Chart Template window, and
save
the template
Show data points not being used in the plot

Changing the Axes on a Plot (the Curve Selector):

To choose a different variable plotted on an axis, use the Curve Selector button
as follows:
(The example shown below is a Differential Pulse Voltammetry plot.)
1. With the plot open and displayed on the screen, click the Curve Selector
button

The Curve Selector area appears on the right side of the window.
2. Choose which trace is active by clicking on the drop-down menu in the Active
Trace area.
The Active Trace is the data series on which the analysis will be performed.
Use this, for example, if multiple files or cycles are displayed on the graph.
3. Choose which trace is visible on the plot by activating the checkbox next to the
desired trace(s) in the Visible Traces area.
Visible Traces also contain any data fits that are performed.
4. Choose which variable is plotted on the x-axis by highlighting the variable in
the X-Axis column.
5. Choose which variable is plotted on the y-axis by highlighting the variable in
the Y-Axis column.
6. Choose which variable is plotted on the second y-axis by highlighting the
variable in the Y2-Axis column.

If there is a data column graphed on the Y2-Axis, those data appear in

a different color and a different scale.

Selecting Portions of a Curve for Analysis

For certain types of analysis, you must select a region of the curve, for example,
within the Peak Find function in Cyclic Voltammetry or Tafel Fit function in
Potentiodynamic. You can select regions by mouse or keyboard.
1. Left-click the mouse on the Mouse button in the Selection toolbar.
2. Use the left mouse-button to select each endpoint of the curve.
Each endpoint is marked with a blue cross. The selected portion of the curve
is shown as a thick blue line. (In the figure below, the color of the data has
been changed to red for contrast to the selected region).

3. Another click on the Mouse button clears the selected region, and readies the
graph for a different region to be selected.

Cutting and Pasting Images and Data

Many users want to present, publish, or otherwise share their data and charts
from the Echem Analyst. To create a bitmap image of the graph,

As a Bitmap:
1. Choose the Copy to Clipboard button
from the General Toolbar.
2. In the drop-down menu select As a Bitmap.

3. A bitmap image of the graph enters the clipboard. This bitmap may be pasted
into a presentation program such as Word or Powerpoint.
This is a quick and easy way to
import a picture of the graph for
a presentation or report.

Bitmap is not an editable format.

As Text:
Because Gamry Data Files are ASCII text, they can be opened easily in other
graphing programs, such as Excel or Origin. Right-click on the DTA file and
select Open With and select for favored program. These programs, however, do
not contain fitting routines specific to the analysis of electrochemical data. This As
Text feature lets you fit the data in Echem Analyst and then copy and paste the
data and fit into another graphing program.
This is a quick and easy way to import both the data and the fit into another
graphing program.

If you are using the As Text feature, be sure to note the currently
graphed parameters. The coordinates of this currently displayed graph are
copied and can be pasted to graphing programs.

10

Plotting Conventions
By right-clicking the mouse on a non-zero value on an axis, you can choose to
show that axis in logarithmic or linear scale, or to reverse the direction of the
numbers.

Alternatively, you can use the Transform Axes selection (if available) under the
Common Tools menu.

Default plotting of graphs is auto-scale. Therefore, please note the

y-axiss scale when a plot first appears. If bad data points obscure your data
because of auto-scaling, you can choose to disable and hide those offending
points.

To Get On-Line Help:

In the toolbar, choose Help.
a. Click Gamry Help to obtain
information about various
commands and functions within
Echem Analyst.
A separate Gamry Echem Analyst Help
window appears. You can find much information about the details of Echem Analyst here, such as
plotting and analysis.

On-line help is a great resource for more involved questions. Help

is divided up according to software package.

11

b. Click About the Gamry Echem Analyst to view the software version number.

12

Common Tools and Tabs

While each type of experimental data has its own method and parameters, there
are certain commands that are common to many analyses. This section shows you
these Common Tools.

Accessing Common Tools

1. Open a dataset.
In the toolbar, the function Common Tools appears.
2. Choose
Common
Tools.
A dropdown
menu
appears.
3. Select the desired command.
In this example, chronoamperometrys Common Tools includes three
commands, Add I Constant, Linear Fit, and Smooth Data.

The list of Common Tools varies depending upon the type of

experiment.

List of Common Tools

Command
Add E
Constant

Type of experiment
Cyclic Voltammetry, DC Voltammetry,
Differential Pulse Voltammetry, Galvanic
Corrosion, Normal Pulse Voltammetry,
Pitting
Scan, Polarization Resistance,
Potentiodynamic Scan, Square-Wave
Voltammetry

Result
Adds a constant
potential to all
voltages in the plot.
Used to easily
convert between
different Reference
Electrodes scales.

Adds a constant
Chronoamperometry, Chronopotentiometry, value to all currents
in the plot.
Cyclic Voltammetry, Galvanic Corrosion,
Pitting Scan, Polarization Resistance,
Potentiodynamic Scan
Calculates
C from CPE,
capacitance from
omega(max) Potentiostatic EIS, AC Voltammetry, Mottpreviously fit CPE
Schottky
values and data
Add I
Constant

13

from the Nyquist

plot.
C from CPE,
R(parallel)

Potentiostatic EIS, AC Voltammetry, MottSchottky

Calculates
capacitance from
previously fit CPE
and fit R data.

Linear Fit

Chronoamperometry, Potentiostatic EIS, AC

Voltammetry, Chronocoulometry,
Chronopotentiometry, Cyclic Voltammetry,
DC Voltammetry, Differential Pulse
Voltammetry, EMF Trend, Galvanic
Corrosion, Mott-Schottky, Normal Pulse
Voltammetry, Polarization Resistance,
Potentiodynamic Scan, Square-Wave
Voltammetry

When a region of
the plot is selected,
fits the data to
y = mx + b.

Post-Run iR
Correction

Cyclic Voltammetry, Polarization Resistance, Corrects a previously

Potentiodynamic Scan
run scan for voltagedrop caused by iR.

Smooth Data Chronoamperometry, Chronopotentiometry,

Cyclic Voltammetry, DC Voltammetry,
Differential Pulse Voltammetry, EMF Trend,
Galvanic Corrosion, Normal Pulse
Voltammetry, Pitting Scan, Polarization
Resistance, Potentiodynamic Scan, SquareWave Voltammetry

Smoothes the data.

Useful for locating
peaks in regions of
high data-density.

Transform
Axes

Changes x- and yaxes from linear to

Galvanic Corrosion, Pitting Scan,

Polarization
Resistance, Potentiodynamic Scan

logarithmic, etc.

14

Experimental Setup

This particular Experimental Setup tab is from a Cyclic Voltammetry experiment. This
example has many of the same parameters as other experiments. It shows:
Initial E, Scan Limit 1,
Scan Limit 2, Final E

The potentials defining the waveform, and whether measured

vs. a reference electrode (Eref) or the open circuit potential (Eoc).

Test Identifier
Time

Read from the Framework Setup. This field also becomes the
default title of the plot.
Time the experiment was started

Scan Rate

How fast (in mV/s) the scan was taken

Step Size

The interval between potentials

Electrode Area

The size of the electrode

Equil. Time

How much time was spent letting the electronics settle before
the scan was started
Automatically adjusted or fixed I/E (Current) Range mode.

I/E Range Mode

Max Current

The current value that sets the I/E Range in Fixed Mode and
determines the range in which to start in Auto Mode

Conditioning
Init. Delay

Whether off or on, for how long, and under what potential.
This Potential is vs. Reference.
Whether off or on. This is when the E oc is measured.

Cycles

Number of how many voltammetry cycles were run

IR Comp

If IR Compensation was used and the mode.

Open Circuit

The value of the Open circuit voltage (Corrosion Potential). It is

the value of the last point in the Initial Delay.
Data-acquisition mode (for Reference Family Potentiostats)

Sampling Mode

15

Experimental Notes
Click the Experimental Notes tab:
Any notes entered in the Framework are automatically displayed here. You
may enter any additional comments about the experiment in the Notes
field.

This is a version of a modern laboratory notebook. Enter as many details about

your experiment as you can. Information here can help you avoid having long
strings of descriptive file names.

16

Hardware Settings

This section documents the hardware settings that were used when
the experiment was run, e.g., everything from the offsets, filters, and gains to
the last time the potentiostat was calibrated.
This information is used primarily by Gamry Technical Support staff to help
troubleshoot. Gamry determines defaults for these settings based on
experience. Advanced users can adjust these settings manually before the
experiment is run.
For DC Corrosion experiments, the Hardware Settings are set in the
experiment code. For Physical Electrochemistry experiments, users have
access to these features through the Advanced Panel, but Gamry recommends
that only advanced users make changes to these settings. Consult Help or
Gamry Technical Support for advice.
Click the Hardware Settings tab:

The hardware settings

displayed here are:
Potentiostat
Control Mode
Control Amp Speed
I/E AutoRange
Ich AutoRange
Ich Range
Ich Filter
Ich Offset Enable
Ich Offset
Positive Feedback IR
Comp
I/E Range Lower Limit
Ach select

Shows the potentiostats label

How the experiment was controlled
Shows the speed of the control amplifier
Shows if the I/E autorange function was enabled
Shows if the Ich autorange function was enabled
Shows the Ich range (gain). 3 Volts = x1 Gain.
Shows the Ich cut-off filter frequency
Shows if Ich Offset was enabled
Shows the Ich offset voltage
Shows if the IR positive feedback was enabled
Shows the lowest available I/E Range available to use in this
experiment
Shows the input connector for Ach
17
DC Calibration Date

Framework Version
Pstat Model
Current Convention
I/E Stability
I/E Range
Vch AutoRange
Vch Range
Vch Filter
Vch Offset Enable
Vch Offset
Positive Feedback
Resistance
Ach Range
Cable ID
AC Calibration Date
Instrument Version

Shows the date of last DC calibration

Gives the model number of the potentiostat
Shows which currents are positive
Shows the I/E stability speed
Shows the I/E (or current) range used
Shows if Vch autoranging is enabled
Shows the maximum value for V ch
Shows the Vch cut-off filter frequency
Shows if Vch Offset was enabled
Shows the Ich offset voltage
Shows the positive feedback resistance applied to the system
Shows the voltage range of the auxiliary channel
(for Reference Family Potentiostats only.) Gives the type of
cable connected to the system
Shows the date of last AC calibration
Shows the Firmware Version of a Reference Family Pstat

Detailed explanations of these parameters are beyond the scope of this guide.

18

Open Circuit Voltage (Corrosion Potential) Data

Click the Open Circuit Voltage tab:

Because default plotting of graphs is auto-scale, please note the

y-axiss scale when the Open Circuit Voltage first appears.

19

Analysis of Cyclic Voltammetry Data

This is a sample cyclic voltammetry file that installs in \My Gamry Data\ when
Framework installs.

Cyclic Voltammetry Special Tools

This menu analyzes the cyclic voltammetry data.
1. In the main menu, choose Cyclic Voltammetry.
A drop-down menu
appears.
2. Choose the desired
tool:

20
Min/Max
Tool

Quick Integrate
Integrate

Region Baselines
Clear Regions
Normalize by Scan
Rate
Normalize by
Square Root of the
Scan Rate
Peak Find

Clear Peaks

Function
Finds the minimum and maximum
currents and voltages within the
dataset.
Results appear in a window below the
plot.
Integrates to find the total charge.
Results
appear in a window below the plot.
Integrates over a specified portion of
the
plot to find the total charge.
Defines a line as the baseline for a
specified region.
Clears all baselines from the dataset.

Automatic Baseline Normalizes the dataset based on the

scan
rate.
Peak Baselines
Normalizes the dataset based on the
square-root of the scan rate.
Clear Lines

Delta Ep
Subtract
Background from
File
Export to DigiSim
Options

Notes

For multi-cycle CV
experiments
Portion of the
curve must be
selected
Region must be
selected
Region must be
selected

Portion of the
curve must be
selected
Peaks must be
Finds peaks within a specified region of identified
the dataset.
Peaks must be
identified
Clears all peaks found within the
Peaks must be
dataset.
identified
Lines must be
Finds the baseline automatically.
associated with
graph
Defines a line as a baseline for a
Peaks must be
specified peak.
identified
Clears all lines from the dataset.

Finds the potential difference between

two peaks.
Subtracts a background amount from
the
dataset.
Exports the file to a DigiSimcompatible
format.
Changes units and grids for plotting the
data.

21

Integrating the Voltammogram

All integration methods integrate current versus time to get the total charge. There
are two different ways to integrate under a curve with Echem Analyst.

Quick Integrate
Quick Integrate breaks the data into curves. Each curve is integrated to a zero
current. Quick Integrate integrates the entire area of each curve, unless an area is
specified using the x-region icon.

Integrate
Integrate requires you first to select a portion of the curve. (See how to select a
portion of the curve in the Starting Echem Analyst chapter.) After an integration
is performed, you can change the baseline from the default 0 A to another line,
either a line that you draw, or an Automatic Baseline.
1. Open the data file.
2. Select the Draw a Freehand Line
button:

3. Left-click and hold on the graph

to place an anchor point.
Holding down the mouse button,
extend the line with the mouse.
Move or extend the line as you
wish.
Directions to accept the
line are printed at the
bottom of the window.
4. Right-click the mouse on
the line and either Accept or Delete.
After you accept the
line, it turns from
dashed to solid.
5. Select the portion of the
curve to integrate.
This function is described in detail earlier.

22

6. Select Integrate from the

Cyclic Voltammetry
menu.
This integrates the section between the curve
and the zero amp line.
7. To change the baseline
to the desired userdrawn line, select Region
Baselines from the Cyclic
Voltammetry menu.

The Region Baseline

Settings window appears.
8. Select the Region Baseline
from the available lines. You
may draw multiple lines from
which to choose.
Note that the
integrated
region moves
from the
default 0
Amps baseline
to the userdrawn line.

23

Modeling Polarization Resistance Data

Polarization Resistance Special Tools
This menu analyzes the polarization resistance data.
1. In the main menu, choose Polarization Resistance.
A dropdown
menu
appears.

2. Choose the desired tool:

Tool
function
Quick Integrate Integrates to find the total charge. Results appear in a window
below the plot.
Min/Max

Finds the minimum and maximum currents and voltages within

the dataset. Results appear in a window below the plot.

Polarization
Resistance

Within a selected portion of the curve, finds the polarization

resistance.

Options

Changes units and grids for plotting the data.

Finding the Polarization Resistance

Method 1: Manual Eentry of the Tafel Constants
1. Select the desired portion of the curve. (See section.)
2. In the main menu, choose Polarization Resistance.
A dropdown
menu
appears.

3. Choose Polarization Resistance.

The Polarization Resistance window
opens.
4. In the Seed Values area, enter anodic
(Beta A) and cathodic (Beta C) Tafel
constants.
5. Click the Calculate button.
The calculated Corrosion Rate appears in
a window below the plot.
24

Method 2: Automatic Selection of Voltage Region

Gamry offers another way to select automatically the voltage region over which
this analysis is done.
1. In the Polarization Resistance menu, choose Options.

The Polarization Resistance Options window opens.

2. Select this Automatic radio
button, specify the region
around Ecorr to use, and Save
as Defaults. You are prompted
directly for Tafel constants
when a polarization resistance
file is opened.
This is how Gamrys RpEc Trend
experiments calculate corrosion
rate.

25

Modeling Potentiodynamic (Tafel) Data

A Tafel experiment is also a very popular electrochemical corrosion technique.
The following analysis is performed on the sample Potentiodynamic data file.

Tafel Fit
1. Select the region over which to perform the Tafel fit.
This region must encompass the Ecorr (Open Circuit Potential).
2. Select Tafel Fit from the Potentiodyanmic menu:

3. A Tafel Fit window appears where you may

input seed values optionally for the fit.
The better the information we provide the
fitting routine, the more likely it will be able
to generate an acceptable fit.
If you have reasonable starting parameters
for the fit, input them in the Seed Values
area, and check the Use Seed Values
checkbox. If you do not have any
confidence at all in your range of
parameters, do not check the Use Seed
Values checkbox.
We recommend using the seed values
supplied by the Echem Analyst.
4. Click the Calculate button.
When the Calculate button is pressed, the changes can be subtle. The
following events occur:
The parameters in the Tafel Fit window become the fit parameters.
26

A fit line is displayed on the graph.

A new Tafel tab is created (to the right of the Hardware Settings tab) that
holds the information about the fit.

E Log I Fit
The E Log I fit is a useful fit if you want to fit the data one branch (anodic or
cathodic) at a time. This can be important if one branch doesnt show linear
behavior, but the other does.
The fit is called E Log I because of the semi-logarithmic nature of a Tafel plot. The
x-axis is the logarithm of current, while the y-axis is potential on a linear scale.

Method
1. Select a portion of the curve.
Here you need only the linear section of one of the
branches. This selection does not include Ecorr (Eoc
(open circuit potential)).
2. In the E Log I Fit window, enter an approximate
value for Ecorr.
3. Click the Calculate button.
A single branch of the Tafel
data is fit. The fit is shown
on the graph, and the results
of the fit are contained in a
new E Log I tab.
You can run a Polarization
Resistance fit on this
Potentiodynamic data, if the
axes of current are changed
to the linear scale. Generally
we suggest running a separate experiment on a new sample of the same
material because of the more-polarizing, more-destructive nature of the
Potentiodynamic experiment.
27

Modeling EIS Data

The data-analysis features shown here are common to many of the AC-based
techniques. By far the most popular type of AC experiment is Potentiostatic EIS.

Bode and Nyquist Plot View

Click the Bode tab or the Nyquist tab of the plot you prefer to work with. All fits
are displayed on both the Bode and Nyquist plots. Because they are different
representations of the same data, the fit results are identical.

Bode plot

Nyquist plot

28

EIS Special Tools

EIS data-analysis uses an equivalent-circuit approach. This menu creates and runs
fits for EIS data. Commands in this menu allow you to build an equivalent-circuit
model in the Model Editor, then fit that model to your data. This menu also lets
you run advanced procedures, such as Subtract Impedance, and run KramersKronig transforms.
1. In the main menu, choose Impedance.
A drop-down menu appears.
2. To create or
edit an
equivalent
circuit,
choose
Model
Editor.
The
Impedance
Model
Editor
window appears. See the next page for how to use it.
3. To fit the data using the Levenberg-Marquardt method, choose Fit A Model
(Levenberg-Marquardt Method).
The Select Model File window opens.
Choose the appropriate model file, and click the OK button.
4. To fit the data using the Simplex method, choose Fit A Model (Simplex
Method).
Simplex method weighs the users seed values less. We recommend using the
Simplex method.
5. To subtract an impedance from the data, choose Subtract Impedance.
The Impedance Subtraction window appears.
Choose:
Element Choose a circuit element from the drop-down menu.
Model Browse for a previously defined model.
Spectrum Browse for a data-set.
Click the Close button.
6. To use the Kramers-Kronig method,
Choose Kramers-Kronig.
Kramers-Kronig is a model-independent transform that checks the EIS data for
consistency.
The Kramers-Kronig window appears.
7. To clear all fits from the plot,
Choose Clear All Fits.
8. To change time or impedance units,
Choose Options.
This option let you normalize the data and fits to the normalized area.
29

The Model Editor

The Impedance Model Editor allows you to create an equivalent circuit, via a
drag-and-drop method.

There
are several preloaded models.
Often users find it
convenient to start
with one of these
models and edit it as
needed.

Circuit Elements
Symbol

Element
Resistor

Comments
Abbreviated as R. Z = R

Capacitor

Abbreviated as C. Z = i/ C

Inductor

Abbreviated as L. Z = iL

Constant
Phase
Element
Wire

Models an inhomogeneous property of the system, or a

property with a distribution of values. Often abbreviated as
CPE.
Connects one element to the next.

Gerischer
element

Models a reaction in the surrounding solution that happened

already; also used for modeling a porous electrode. Often
abbreviated as G.
Models a linear diffusion to an infinite planar electrode.
Often abbreviated as W.
Models diffusion within a thin layer of electrolyte, such as
electrolyte trapped between a flat electrode and a glass
microscope slide. Often abbreviated as T.
Models diffusion through a thin layer of electrolyte, such as
electrolyte trapped between an electrode and a permeable
membrane covering it. Often abbreviated as O.

Infinite
Warburg
Bounded
Warburg
Porous
Bounded
Warburg

30

Building an Equivalent Circuit

1. Adding an element
a. Click on an element symbol.
The element appears in the central window.
b. Place the mouse cursor over the element. Left-click and drag to move the element to its
desired position.

2. Connecting elements
a. Click on the Wire symbol
.
b. Left-click one end of the wire and drag the
end to the element.
The elements border turns green when the wires
end reaches the element.

3. Deleting an element
a. Right-click on the element.

Be sure to connect
the circuit to the referenceelectrode symbol

and the

working-electrode symbol

The Delete command

appears.
b. Left-click on the Delete command.
The element vanishes.

Here is an example of a simple equivalent circuit (a Randles model) constructed

in the Impedance
Model Editor:

4. Relabeling and
fixing parameters
for an element
This lets you rename the
element, and specify a
Lower and Upper Limit
for its value. Renaming
the element helps you
distinguish between
elements of the same type
during fitting. Giving the
program limits on the parameters may
help the mathematical algorithm. For
example, we know values are generally
positive, so a Lower Limit = 0 is
reasonable to set.
a. Left-click on the name of the
element (here, R4).
The Parameter window appears.
b. Enter a new Parameter Name.
c. Enter an Initial Value, i.e., the
first trial value for fitting.
d. In the Lower Limit Test and
Upper Limit Test fields, enter
lower and upper limits, and
check the Enable checkbox, as
desired.
e. Click the OK button.
The Parameter window closes, and the element is set to these parameters.

31

Compiling the Equivalent Circuit

When the equivalent circuit is complete, the circuit can be compiled before use
to check for connectivity of the wires. Compiling is only used to check
connections
1. In the toolbar, choose Tools.
A drop-down menu appears.
2. Choose Compile or click the Test Compile button
in the toolbar.
The software compiles the equivalent
circuit.
If there is a problem, such as a missing
connection, an error message appears,
and a red box outlines the problem
element:
3. Click the OK button to continue.
4. Inspect the schematic and make necessary corrections.
If the equivalent circuit
compiles properly, the
Model Editor window
appears:
5. Click the OK button to
continue.
6. You may save the equivalent circuit with a*.mdl
extension by clicking File in the toolbar, and
choosing Save or Save As.

7. The File Save As window

appears.
The default folder for saving
model equivalent circuits is
the Models folder.
8. Name and save the file here,
or choose a different folder.
The model shown above
was saved astrial
model.mdl.
The File Save As window
closes.

32

Fitting the Data to the Equivalent-Circuit Model

1. With the data open
and plotted, click
Impedance, and choose
Fit A Model (Simplex
Method).
The Select Model File
window appears.
2. Choose the desired
model.
The default folder for models is the Models folder. This Models folder is in the
C:\Documents and
Settings\All
Users\Application
Data\Gamry
Instruments\Echem
Analyst\Models
by default. As our
example, we choose
the modeltrial
model.mdl created
previously.

3. Click the Open

button.
The Select Model File window closes, and the Impedance Fit by the Simplex
Method window appears.
4. Set parameters.
Choose the maximum
number of Iterations to loop
before stopping the fit. Enter
estimates for all the circuit
elements in the Model
Parameters area. Fix
particular elements by
enabling their Lock
checkboxes.
In our example, we try 100
for Ru, 2500 for Rp,
and 100 nF for Cf and leave
all of them free (unlocked).
5. Click the Calculate button to start the fit.
The software attempts to fit the model to the data. When finished, the fitted
parameters appear next to each circuit element.
33

Our model results give

Rp = 3 k
Rsolution = 199.7
Cf = 980 nF

Like other Echem Analyst fits, the fit also appears superimposed upon the data
and a new tab is created that contains those results.

If you try another fit using the same model, this fit will be overwritten. If you fit to
another model, the fit results of both models will be displayed.

34

This new tab shows the residual errors and goodness of fit, along with the various
plotting tools. Residuals are a point-by-point Goodness of Fit, which quantifies
how closely the data match the fit. A smaller number indicates a better fit.
The blue data (Zreal) correspond to the y1-axis (on the left); the green data
(Zimag) correspond to the y2-axis (on the right).

35

Appendix
Headings in Data-File Columns
DC Data Files
Abbreviatio Meaning
Point number
n
Time
Pt
Measured voltage
T
Measured current
Vm, Vf
Uncompensated voltage
Im
Signal from the signal generator
Vu
Auxiliary channel
Sig
I/E (Current Measurement) range on which measurement was
Ach
made
IE Range
Any overloads. Numeric record of different overload types
No overloads
Over
0

EIS Data
Files

36

Abbreviation
Freq
Zreal, Zimag, Zmod, Zphz
Idc, Vdc
Yreal, Yimag

Meaning
Frequency

Calculated values of
impedance

DC component of current and voltage,

Admittance (calculated from Z)

Current Conventions According to Framework and

Echem Analyst
The current convention in the Framework for all experimental packages is that an
anodic/oxidation current is positive.
To change the current convention (whether anodic/oxidation currents or
cathodic/reduction currents are positive), in the menu Tools\Options\Units tab,
specify the current you want represented as positive. The current convention can
be changed by editing the experimental script (contact Gamry or your Gamry
representative if you need to do this). Regardless of the current convention used
in the Framework, it can be changed in the Echem Analyst to the one you desire
by the user (see below for exceptions).

The current convention affects all experiments run under the

PHE200 Physical Electrochemistry and PV220 Pulse Voltammetry
heading. No other data files are affected.
To change the current convention in the Echem Analyst, in the menu
Tools/Options/Units tab specify the current you want represented as positive.
To change the current convention in other experimental packages (DC105,
EIS300 etc) please contact Gamry or your Gamry representative.

To Edit Visual Basic Scripts:

1. In the toolbar, choose Tools.
A dropdown menu appears.

Echem Analyst runs on Open Source

scripts written in VBA. Most customized
analysis routines are done by Gamry in the
factory for you, the user, and that makes
Echem Analyst extremely flexible. The typical
user will never need to edit the scripts for
electrochemical analysis.

37

Simulating an EIS Curve

It is often useful to simulate the response of an equivalent circuit.
1. Launch the Echem Analyst.
2. Select Tools/Run Named Script/select EIS Model Simulation Script.Gscript.
This opens a blank chart.

3. Select EIS Simulation/Simulate (use the Model Editor to build or edit the model).
The EIS Model Simulation window appears.

4. Select the saved model, and input parameters for the experiment (frequencies
and data-point density) and values of all circuit elements.
5. Click the Simulate button.
The simulation appears under new tabs.
38

This is a simulated Bode plot.

This is a simulated Nyquist plot.

39

Index

*
*.DTA
*.GData
*.mdl

3
3
32

3
3D/2D

Corrosion Rate
Current Convention
Current conventions
Curve Selector
Curve Selector area
Curve Selector button
Curve Selector button
Cutting and pasting
Cycles
Cyclic Voltammetry

A
AC Calibration Date

Data Viewer

18

Accept
Ach
Ach Range
Ach select
Active Trace area
Add E Constant
Add I Constant

22
36
18
17
8
13

13
Analysis menu
3
Apply Template
7
Apply User-Defined Chart Template window
7
As a Bitmap
10
As Text
10
ASCII
3, 10
Automatic Baseline
21, 22
Automatic radio button
25

B
Beta A
Beta C
bitmap image
Bode tab
Bounded Warburg

24
18
37
8
7, 8
8
8
10
15
20, 23

24
24
10
28
30

DC Calibration Date
Delete
Delta Ep
DigiSim
Draw a Freehand Line button
Draw Freehand Line

18
22, 31
21
21
22
7

E
E Log I Fit window

27

E Log I tab
Ecorr
EIS Model Simulation window
Electrode Area
element
Element
Enable checkbox
Equil. Time
equivalent circuit
Excel
Experimental Notes tab
Experimental Setup tab
Export to DigiSim

27
27
38
15
31
29
31
15
29, 30, 31, 32, 38
3, 10
4, 16
4, 15
21

C
C from CPE, omega(max)

13

C from CPE, R(parallel)

Cable ID
Calculate button
Capacitor
CD-ROM
Changing the axes
Clear All Fits
Clear Lines
Clear Peaks
Clear Regions
Color
Common Tools
Common Tools menu
Compile
Conditioning
Constant Phase Element
Control Amp Speed
Control Mode
Copy to clipboard
Copy to Clipboard button

14
18
24, 26, 27, 33
30
3
8
29
21
21
21
6
11, 13
11
32
15
30
17
17
6
10

File
File Save As window
Final E
Firmware Version
Fit A Model (Levenberg-Marquardt Method)
Fit A Model (Simplex Method)
Framework
Framework Version
Framework
Freq

32
32
15
18
29
29, 33
20
18
2, 37
36

G
Gallery

6
Gamry Analysis Framework Options window
4
Gamry Echem Analyst Help window
11
Gamry Help
11
GamryChart Properties window
6
General tab
4
General Toolbar
5, 6, 10
Gerischer element
30

40
Goo

dnes
s of
Fit

a
r
d

ware Settings tab

help
Help
Horizontal Grid

35

H
4, 17, 27
11
11
6

32
33
32, 33
9
3, 4

N
Normalize by Scan Rate
Normalize by Square Root of the Scan Rate
Notes field
Nyquist tab

I
I/E AutoRange

Model Editor window

Model Parameters area
Models folder
Mouse button
My Gamry Data folder

17

21
21
16
28

I/E Range
18
I/E Range Lower Limit
17
I/E Range Mode
15
I/E Stability
18
Ich AutoRange
17
Ich Filter
17
Ich Offset
17
Ich Offset Enable
17
Ich Range
17
Idc36
IE Range
36
Im 36
Impedance
29
Impedance Fit by the Simplex Method window 33
Impedance Model Editor
29, 30, 31
Impedance Model Editor window
29
Impedance Subtraction window
29
Inductor
30
Infinite Warburg
30
Init. Delay
15
Initial Delay
4, 15
Initial E
15
Initial Value
31
Installation
3
Instrument Version
18
Integrate
21, 22, 23
Integrating the voltammogram
22
IR Comp
15
Iterations
33

K
Kramers-Kronig method
Kramers-Kronig transforms
Kramers-Kronig
window

29
29
29

L
6
Legend Bar
Levenberg-Marquardt method
Linear Fit
Lock checkbox
Lower Limit Test

29
13, 14
33
31

OK button
open
Open button
Open Circuit
Open Circuit Voltage tab
Open function
Open With
Options
Origin
Over

29, 31, 32
3
33
15
4, 19
3
10
4, 21, 24, 25, 29
3, 10
36

P
Page setup window
6
Palette button
6
PaletteBar
6
Parameter Name
31
Parameter window
31
Path
4
Peak Baselines
21
Peak Find
21
Peak Find function
9
plots
5
Polarization Resistance
13, 14, 24, 25, 27
Polarization Resistance window
24
Porous Bounded Warburg
30
Positive Feedback IR Comp
17
Positive Feedback Resistance
18
Post-Run iR Correction
14
Potentiodyanmic
26
Potentiostat
17
Powerpoint
10
Print
6
Print preview
6
Properties
6
Pstat Model
18
Pt 36

Q
Quick Integrate
Quick-Integrate

M
Mark Found Peaks
Max Current
Min/Max
Model
Model Editor

7
15
21, 24
29
29, 30, 38

21, 22, 24
7

R
Randles model
Region Baseline
Region Baseline Settings window

31
23
23

41

Region Baselines
Resistor

21, 23
30
6

Rotate

S
Sampling Mode
Save
Save As
Save as Defaults
Save Template
Save User-Defined Chart Template
window
Scan Rate
Seed Values area
Select Model File window
Select Portion of Curve using the Keyboard
Select Portion of Curve using the Mouse
Select x region
Select y region
Selecting portions of a curve
Selection toolbar
Selection Toolbar
Show curve selector
Show Disabled Points
Sig 36
Simplex method
Simulate button
Simulating an EIS curve
Smooth Data
Spectrum
Step Size
Subtract Background from File
Subtract Impedance
Subtract Impedance

15
32
32
25
7
7
15
24, 26
29, 33
7
7
7
7
9
9
5, 7
7

29
38
38
13, 14
29
15
21
29
29

24, 25
9, 26
9
26
27
32
15
15
5
6, 32
37
14

11

U
Units tab
Upper Limit Test
Use Seed Values checkbox

37
31
26

V
Vch AutoRange
Vch Filter
Vch Offset
Vch Offset Enable
Vch Range
Vdc
Vertical Grid
Vf 36
Visible Traces area
Visual Basic
Vm
Vu 36

T
T 36
Tafel constants
Tafel Fit
Tafel Fit function
Tafel Fit window
Tafel tab
Test Compile button
Test Identifier
Time
toolbars
Tools
Tools.
Transform Axes

Transform Axes selection

18
18
18
18
18
36
6
8
37
36

W
website
Wire
Word

3
30, 31
10

X
X-Axis column

Y
Y2-Axis column
Y-Axis column
Yimag
Yreal

8
8
36
36

Z
Z-clustered
Zimag
Zmod
Zoom
Zphz
Zreal

6
35, 36
36
6
36
35, 36

42