History of voltammetry in Russia

Abstract

The paper considers the evolution of electroanalytical methods in the former Soviet Union and Russia for more than 50 years, including the establishment of scientific research centers, the development of new methods, and the formation of scientific schools. The history of voltammetry (VA) can be conventionally subdivided into two periods, the history of polarography (from the late 1930s to 1981-1987) and the history of VA in different versions. The material is obtained from original publications, reviews, and proceedings of specialized conferences. The role of academicians V.I. Vernadsky and A.P. Vinogradov in the formation and development of VA in the former Soviet Union is noted. It is shown that the first work on polarography in the former Soviet Union was published by E.N. Varasova, a colleague of Vernadsky and a former student of J. Heyrovsky and the translator of his first monograph. The statistics of conferences on polarography and conferences on electrochemical methods of analysis is presented; the high scientific and experimental level of Russian research centers is demonstrated; and the role of the school of electrochemistry established by A.N. Frumkin is shown. © 2009 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.