An Overview of CVSIM

This chapter describes the structure and use of the computer program CVSIM. This general-purpose simulation program can simulate the CV response or a great variety of electrode mechanisms. Also described is a graphics 

The executable codes for CVSIM and CVGRAF are included on a diskette with this book. Hardware required is a PC-compatible (80X86) computer. A math coprocessor will speed up the calculations considerably. Chapter 6 describes another program, CVFIT, which incorporates a modified version of CVSIM for the least-squares analysis of experimental CV data. Finally, the appendix describes DSTEP, a general program for the simulation of double potential step experiments. 

CVSIM is a PC-based program that enables the experimentalist to simulate the CV for nearly any desired mechanism and to compare the result with experiment. The desired mechanism is built up in a simple manner with a full screen display, and there are options for varying the diffusion coefficients of individual species. 

The value of such an approach lies in the elimination of the need to solve by analytical or numerical means the partial differential equation that models each new mechanism. Thus, more time is available for the consideration of problems of a chemical nature, and a large amount of repetitious work is avoided. In addition, by taking advantage of the increasing computational power of personal computers, a generalized program can be an accessible tool for the mechanistic analysis of cyclic voltammograms. 

Together, the programs CVSIM, CVFIT, and CVGRAF can be used for the efficient analysis of CV and DPS data. The programs incorporate the following qualities. 

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