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selective and sensitive detection, rapid quantification of a huge variety of analytes, diagnostic tool, development of new methodologies and sensors, etc. [3].
Basics of spectroelectrochemistry
Apr 28, 2025
Article
The combination of two well-known analytical techniques, electrochemistry and spectroscopy, gives rise to spectroelectrochemistry (SEC) – an established scientific methodology. This hybrid technology offers researchers the best of both worlds by being able to record both an optical and an electrochemical signal at the same time to obtain new data [1]. This article begins with a spectroelectrochemistry definition and showcases its advantages in research, followed by new systems and solutions that make it easier to work on a multitude of spectroelectrochemistry applications.
What is spectroelectrochemistry?
Spectroelectrochemical methods are multi-response methods. They study the process of electrochemical reactions with simultaneous optical monitoring. Spectroelectrochemistry provides two individual signals from a single experiment, which is a very powerful feature to obtain critical information about the studied system. Moreover, the autovalidated character of spectroelectrochemistry confirms the results obtained by two different routes.
Find out more about this topic in our Application Note.
The spectroelectrochemistry principle is based on analyzing the interaction between a beam of electromagnetic radiation and the compounds involved in the electrochemical reactions. Variations in the optical and electrochemical signals provide insights into the progression of the electrode processes.
This analytical technique was developed in the 1960’s when Professor Theodore Kuwana worked with transparent electrodes to study a simultaneous process—measuring the charge and absorbance (concurrently) when a beam of light passes through the electrode [2]. These so-called «optically transparent electrodes» (OTEs) were developed to carry out the combined optical and electrochemical experiments. However, not all spectroelectrochemical configurations require transparent electrodes.
Since the first published paper on spectroelectrochemistry in 1964 [2], the number of works and investigations based on this technique has grown steadily (Figure 1).
Figure 1.
Spectroelectrochemistry publications have increased significantly since the technique’s discovery in the 1960’s (results of searching «Spectroelectrochem*» as a term in Scopus as of January 2025).
