Redox-detecting deep learning for mechanism discernment in multi-redox cyclic voltammograms

In electrochemical analysis, mechanism assignment is fundamental to understanding the chemistry of a system. The detection and classification of electrochemical mechanisms in cyclic voltammetry set the foundation for subsequent quantitative evaluation and practical application, but are often based on relatively subjective visual analyses. Deep-learning (DL) techniques provide an alternative, automated means that can support experimentalists in mechanism assignment. Herein, we present a custom DL architecture dubbed as EchemNet, capable of assigning both voltage windows and mechanism classes to electrochemical events within multi-redox cyclic voltammograms. The developed technique detects over 96% of all electrochemical events in simulated test data and shows a classification accuracy of up to 97.2% on redox events with 8 known mechanisms. This newly developed DL model, the first of its kind, proves the feasibility of redox-event detection and electrochemical mechanism classification with minimal a priori knowledge. The DL model will augment human researchers’ productivity and constitute a critical component in a general-purpose autonomous electrochemistry laboratory.