Stochasticity in single-entity electrochemistry
by Ren, Hang; Edwards, Martin A.
Most electrochemical processes are stochastic and discrete in nature. Yet experimental observables, for example, i vs E, are typically smooth and deterministic, because of many events/processes, for example, electron transfers, being averaged together. However, when the number of entities measured approaches a few or even one, stochasticity frequently emerges. Yet all is not lost! Probabilistic and statistical interpretation can generate insights matching or superseding those from macroscale/ensemble measurements, revealing phenomena that were hitherto averaged over. Herein, we review recent literature examples of stochastic processes in single-entity electrochemistry, highlighting strategies for interpreting stochasticity, contrasting them with macroscale measurements and describing the insights generated.
- Journal
- Current Opinion in Electrochemistry
- Volume
- 25
- Year
- 2021
- URL
- https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.coelec.2020.08.014
- ISBN/ISSN
- 2451-9111; 2451-9103
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.coelec.2020.08.014