Electrochemical measurement system

A system for effecting analysis of an electrochemical reaction conducted within a cell having a working electrode, a counter electrode and a reference electrode disposed in an electrolyte solution, the system comprising:

• an electrochemical measurement unit comprising a potentiostat connected to the working electrode, the counter electrode and the reference electrode for measuring a cell current flowing through the cell and an electrode potential of the working electrode;
• a quartz crystal resonator having an electrode which is precoated with a sensitive film and which functions as the working electrode;
• a characteristic measurement unit comprising an oscillating circuit operative to apply a drive signal to the working electrode for oscillating the resonator, a first measurement circuit for measuring a resonant frequency variation of the resonator, and a second measurement circuit for measuring a resonant resistance variation of the resonator in terms of an amplitude level variation of the drive signal;
• and
• means for analyzing the electrochemical reaction on and in the sensitive film based on concurrently measured results of the cell current, the electrode potential of the working electrode, the resonant frequency variation, and the resonant resistance variation.

A system for measuring and analyzing an electrochemical reaction, comprising:

• a cell within which an electrochemical reaction is conducted, the cell having a working electrode, a counter electrode and a reference electrode all disposed in an electrolyte solution contained in the cell during use of the system;
• an electrochemical measurement unit connected to each of the electrodes for measuring a cell current flowing through the cell and an electrode potential of the working electrode;
• resonating means operative when excited by a drive signal to undergo oscillation and having an electrode which functions as the working electrode for exciting the resonating means;
• an oscillating circuit for applying a drive signal having a varying characteristic to the working electrode to oscillate the resonating means;
• a first measurement circuit for measuring a resonant frequency variation of the resonating means;
• a second measurement circuit for measuring a resonant resistance variation of the resonating means in accordance with a variation of the varying characteristic of the drive signal;
• and
• means for analyzing the electrochemical reaction based on concurrently measured results of the cell current, the electrode potential of the working electrode, the resonant frequency variation and the resonant resistance variation.