Why is the cyclic voltammetry of my ferrocene compound not showing a standard shape?

![cyclic voltammetry of ferrocenecarboxaldehyde](https://i.stack.imgur.com/ROabt.png)


I am trying to set-up a new cyclic voltammetry measurement station in my lab but the results are very poor. I am using the following parameters:



```
working electrode: platinum wire, 0.25mm diameter
counter electrode: platinum wire, 0.25mm diameter
reference electrode: none
solvent: acetonitrile
electrolyte: ferrocenecarboxaldehyde
support electrolyte: tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate
scan rate: ~600mV/s

```

Platinum wires each have a submerged length of about 2mm to 5mm and are separated by about 2cm. I was previously using tetrabutylammonium iodide, but that is probably not a good support because the iodide ions will become iodine and forming a blocking layer on my electrode?


I also tried using graphite rods as the electrodes but obtained similar poor-looking CV shapes.


[![graphite rods](https://i.stack.imgur.com/VB9owt.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/VB9ow.jpg)


What should I change to obtain the standard CV shape of an outer-sphere redox species?




Without a proper reference electrode, knowing what potential your ferrocene/ferrocenium couple will show up is quite impossible. You should sweep a larger potential window, until the solvent breakdown potential on either end. 


As Michael Dryden suggested, you should sweep slower as well. That will help with the signal getting resolved easier.


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