Voltametri

CVS (Cyclic Voltammetric Stripping) analysis is the standard technique used in the copper plating industry to determine the concentration of organic additives in the acid copper plating bath. This method is recommended by plating bath suppliers and is used in various industries including PCB manufacturing, semiconductor packaging, copper foil manufacturing, and more.

The term «CVS» covers several applications including the determination of suppressors, brighteners, and levelers. These additives are essential for achieving uniformity, smoothness, and optimal thickness of deposited copper.

Blog: Introduction to Cyclic Voltammetric Stripping (CVS)

With CVS, the concentration of additives like suppressors, brighteners, and levelers can be accurately determined. CVS is especially interesting because it measures the concentration of the additives using their electrochemical behavior in conditions that are very similar to their function in the plating bath. This makes the CVS technique perfectly-suited for this type of analysis.

CVS is used to analyze the concentration of various additives in electroplating baths. It is most widely used in acid copper electroplatings baths.

Blog: Introduction to Cyclic Voltammetric Stripping (CVS)

CVS is generally considered the best way to measure the concentration of organic additives in acid copper plating baths. The quality of CVS results can be verified using best practices such as running check standard measurements, and performing adequate conditioning, cleaning, and maintenance of the analytical equipment.

For our best advice on how to perform high-quality CVS measurements, please consult our Daily Routine document

Cycling Voltammetric Stripping: Daily routine for best performance (PDF, 1.63 MB)

Implementing automation can be a great step, not only to increase sample throughput and efficiency in the laboratory, but to increase the quality of the measurement. By implementing automated sample dosing and addition of auxiliary solution and standards, the possibility of pipetting errors is eliminated.

Learn more about the benefits of automation:

Blog: Automated liquid handling – The key to accurate and reproducible results

Webinar: Next level of CVS automation – how to increase the efficiency of your routine analysis

There are several options available for measuring trace levels of metals in water and other matrices, including atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and voltammetry (VA). Each technique has advantages and limitations, therefore selecting a technique depends strongly on the details of the sample and the analysis requirements. Briefly, here are some situations where VA may be the best choice:

Samples with high salt content, such as sea water and brine. The presence of salts in the matrix is generally no problem for voltammetric analysis, but it usually complicates ICP-MS measurements.

White paper: Green alternative methods for voltammetric analysis in different water matrices

Application Note: Cadmium and lead in drinking water with a Bi drop electrode

Application Note: Cadmium, lead, and copper in brine and sodium hydroxide

Application Bulletin: Determination of zinc, cadmium, lead, copper, thallium, nickel and cobalt in water samples by anodic and adsorptive stripping voltammetry according to DIN 38406-16

Situations where portability (946 Portable VA Analyzer) is necessary, or laboratory space is limited, since VA analyzers are relatively small (the 884 Professional VA is roughly the size of your kitchen microwave) and portable options for field measurements are available.

When speciation is important, voltammetric analysis can be the ideal solution. Since VA measures the electrochemical signal produced when the ion interacts with the electrode, it is often possible to distinguish between the various oxidation states of the analyte. Examples include Arsenic, Selenium, Tin, Iron.