PySimpleEChem

Graphical user interface for plotting and analysing voltammograms with simple-to-use sliders.
Written in pure Python.

PySimpleEChem is written in PyQt5 to replace PySimpleCV, which used PySimpleGUI before it switched to a proprietary license.
License: GPLv3

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Screenshots

Cyclic Voltammetry (PySimpleEChem)

Limiting Current (PyLimitingCurrent)

Rotating Disk Electrode (PySimpleRDE)

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Features

PySimpleEChem is in pre-alpha and is not ready for everyday usage.
Feel free to open a bug report or feature request.

Cyclic voltammetry (PySimpleEChem.py)

• Select and plot multiple CVs at the same time.
• Supports VersaStudio (.par), CorrWare (.cor), .csv, and .txt. For .csv and .txt, the first column must be voltage and the second column must be current.
• Baseline subtraction with adjustable range sliders.
• Peak detection via maximum, minimum, or 2nd derivative method.
• Nicholson method for peak current when the baseline cannot be determined.
• Alpha (charge-transfer coefficient) calculation.
• Diffusion coefficient from the Randles–Ševčík equation.
• Standard rate constant from Butler–Volmer kinetics.
• IR compensation and electrode area normalisation.
• Export results to CSV.

Rotating Disk Electrode (PySimpleRDE.py)

• Select and plot LSVs recorded at multiple rotation rates.
• Supports VersaStudio (.par), CorrWare (.cor), .csv, and .txt.
• Adjustable baseline and plateau region sliders for reproducible limiting-current determination.
• Koutecký–Levich analysis to separate diffusion-limited and kinetic currents.
• Diffusion coefficient and kinetic current calculation.
• IR compensation and electrode area normalisation.
• Export results to CSV.

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PyLimitingCurrent.py

Graphical user interface for measuring the limiting current from a linear sweep voltammogram (LSV) with simple-to-use sliders. The limiting current is used to determine the mass transport coefficient.

The method plots the LSV as 1/I (x-axis) vs. E/I (y-axis) to make the limiting current determination more reproducible.

See: Ponce-de-León, C., Low, C.T.J., Kear, G. et al. Strategies for the determination of the convective-diffusion limiting current from steady state linear sweep voltammetry. J Appl Electrochem 37, 1261–1270 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-007-9392-3

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PySimpleRDE.py

Graphical user interface for analysing rotating disk electrode (RDE) linear sweep voltammograms with simple-to-use sliders.

LSVs recorded at different rotation rates are loaded and plotted together. Adjustable sliders define the baseline region and the plateau (limiting-current) region for each curve. The tool applies the Koutecký–Levich equation to separate the diffusion-limited current from the kinetic current, and returns the diffusion coefficient and kinetic current density directly.

See: Pine Research Instrumentation, Inc.. youtube.com/@Pineresearch. How to determine the mass transport limiting current in RDE. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVtw_9vL0fo

See: Bard, A.J. & Faulkner, L.R. Electrochemical Methods: Fundamentals and Applications, 2nd ed., Wiley (2001), Chapter 9.

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Installation

Dependencies

Both PySimpleEChem.py,PyLimitingCurrent.py, and PySimpleRDE.py require:

Package	Purpose
numpy	Numerical arrays and maths
pandas	Data handling
matplotlib	Plotting (some views)
pyqtgraph	Fast interactive plots
PyQt5	GUI framework
superqt	Range slider widget
statsmodels	LOWESS smoothing for peak detection
scipy	Signal filtering
galvani	Reading Bio-Logic (.mpr) files

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Linux

1. Install Python

Most Linux distributions ship Python 3 by default. Check your version:

python3 --version

If Python 3.8 or newer is not installed, install it via your package manager:

# Debian / Ubuntu
sudo apt update && sudo apt install python3 python3-pip python3-venv

# Fedora
sudo dnf install python3 python3-pip

# Arch
sudo pacman -S python python-pip

2. Create and activate a virtual environment (recommended)

cd /path/to/PySimpleEChem
python3 -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate

3. Install dependencies

python3 -mpip install numpy pandas matplotlib pyqtgraph PyQt5 superqt statsmodels scipy galvani

4. Run

# Cyclic voltammetry tool
python3 PySimpleEChem.py

# Limiting current tool
python3 PyLimitingCurrent.py

# Rotating disk electrode tool
python3 PySimpleRDE.py

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Windows

1. Install Python

Download the latest Python 3 installer from https://www.python.org/downloads/windows/ and run it.

Important: tick "Add Python to PATH" on the first installer screen before clicking Install Now.

Verify the installation by opening Command Prompt (Win + R → cmd):

python --version

2. Create and activate a virtual environment (recommended)

Open Command Prompt and navigate to the project folder:

cd C:\path\to\PySimpleEChem
python -m venv venv
venv\Scripts\activate

If you see a script execution policy error in PowerShell, run:

Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser

then activate again:

venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1

3. Install dependencies

pip install numpy pandas matplotlib pyqtgraph PyQt5 superqt statsmodels scipy galvani

4. Run

python PySimpleEChem.py
python PyLimitingCurrent.py
python PySimpleRDE.py

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Using conda (Linux or Windows)

If you prefer Anaconda or Miniconda:

conda create -n pyechem python=3.11
conda activate pyechem
pip install numpy pandas matplotlib pyqtgraph PyQt5 superqt statsmodels scipy galvani

Then run as above with the environment activated.

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Future plans

• Better file format support — please share sample files for formats not yet supported.