Electrochemistry

Course goals

After completing the course, you are expected to understand the presented theory and to be able to apply it (e.g. in the practicals). With “understanding” it is meant that you can explain the course material, including mathematical derivations, and that you are able to use the knowledge to solve questions of a similar level as asked during the tutorial. With “applying” it is meant that you can use the knowledge to perform experiments and calculations and to answer questions asked in the context of applied problems

At the end of this course, a student should be able to:
1. Describe the fundamental concepts and components of an electrochemical cell/system
2. Apply electrochemistry principles to batteries (different cell types, liquid-based, and all-solid-state batteries), capacitors, fuel cells, corrosion, and electrodeposition.
3. Explain electrosynthesis/electrocatalysis of small molecules (H2O, CO2, N2…) based on their half reactions.
4. Recognize the role of thermodynamics (electrode potentials) and kinetics (ion/mass transfer) in electrochemical systems.
5. Identify the important properties/parameters that influence the performance and efficiency of electrochemical cells.
6. Evaluate the appropriateness of an electrochemical technique in investigating specific properties of the electrochemical cells/processes.
7. Perform experiments and interpret data from electrochemical measurements (e.g. CV, CA, LSV).

Content

This is a new course dedicated to the basic principles of Electrochemistry, and finds it origin in the Electrochemistry lectures that were part of Advanced Physical Chemistry (SK-BFYC3). This level 2 bachelor course builds on prior knowledge of e.g. redox potentials, half reactions, Nernst law and Pourbaix diagrams acquired in bachelor level 1 courses, in particular SK-BFYAN13. The present course expands students’ knowledge of physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry and electrochemistry, preparing students for courses at the master’s level—for instance the newly developed course on Advanced Electrochemistry (SK-MELCH)—and it provides relevant background knowledge for performing bachelor or master research (projects) in topics ranging from electrochemical analysis to batteries and electrolyzers.

The electrochemistry course starts with a thermodynamic approach, where standard reduction potentials, construction of half reactions and different types of electrochemical cells will be treated, with batteries as practical example. The course continues with the kinetics of electrochemistry, including Tafel and Butler-Volmer equations, electrochemical measurement techniques, as well as the formation of the electrochemical double layer, with electrolyzers as practical examples. The materials used as electrodes in electrolyzers (for e.g. water splitting and CO2 reduction) will be discussed, alongside physical chemistry concepts such as diffusion, mass transport, capacitance, current and (over)potential. After treating the basics of charge transport in solids and liquids (electrolytes), it treats the application of electrochemistry in batteries, as well as some physics terms (e.g. conductivity, resistance, etc). In the practicals, the theoretical knowledge will be applied, and common electrochemical setups will used to solve different problem sets, e.g. analytical analyses or building a redox battery.