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The objective of this course is to provide an introductory to electrochemistry. The course covers fundamental concepts as well as main experimental techniques and will be delivered using lectures, tutorials and group activities (i.e., projects based on laboratory practicums/experiments). The course should enable students to apply electrochemical concepts, solving thermodynamic and kinetic electrochemical problems, and to interpret electrochemical data based on the underlying physical phenomena. The course further teaches students to search scientific literature, to identify relevant electrochemical data and to design experiments for determination of thermodynamic and kinetic parameters.
More specifically, the aim of this course is to make students acquainted with
electrochemistry fundamentals:
• to describe, interpret and apply concepts related to redox chemistry, half-reactions, electrode reactions and standard potentials
• to explain and describe basic principles of Galvanic cells and electrolytic cells
• to use the Nernst-equation, i.e., linking the electrode potential with activities of redox-active ions in solution
• to interpret and elaborate on the kinetics of electrochemical reactions in terms of mass transport and electron transfer
• to solve Butler-Volmer and Tafel equations (electrode polarization)
• to discuss electrical double layer concepts and to differentiate between Faradaic and non-Faradaic currents
electrochemistry techniques:
• to correlate potential scales and elaborate on the importance of reference electrodes in electrochemical measurements
• to categorize electrochemical techniques to characterize electrodes
• to predict which electrochemical processes take place based on experimental data (current-voltage response)
• to compare properties of micro- and macroelectrodes
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Electrochemistry deals with chemical changes caused by electrical energy. Electrochemical processes are highly used in various branches of the industry and have an ever-increasing impact in our everyday life. Think, for example, of consumer products like batteries (e.g., in notebooks, smart phones or cars), electrosynthesis (or electrochemical conversion), electroplating or production of hydrogen by electrolysis of water. With more electrical energy being produced from solar and wind energy, a sustainable electricity supply will rely on storage. Additionally, noting that fossil-based fuels will be phased out, production of chemicals and fuels by alternative means will be required. Here, electrochemistry offers sustainable solutions, but further improvement of current and emerging electrochemical conversion techniques is certainly needed.
The course consists of three parts:
- Lectures and tutorials deal with the fundamental principles of electrochemistry, including thermodynamics, double layer structure, electrode reactions, and mass transport in electrochemical systems. Main experimental techniques for the study of electrode reactions will also be discussed.
- Topical lectures (2x) will expose students to relevant electrochemical research activities carried out by researchers within our faculty/in the Netherlands.
- The students (e.g. in groups of 4 students) will carry out two practical (experimental) projects and prepare reports discussing and interpreting the obtained results. The report will be structured in the form of a research article. This allows students to familiarize with learned fundamentals and to apply theoretical concepts to laboratory experiments and case studies in electrochemistry.
The final written exam will account for 70% of the grade. The assessment of the practicum reports will account for 30% of the grade
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| Basic knowledge of (physical) chemistry |
| | Verplicht materiaalBoek| Thomas F. Fuller, John N. Harb,
Electrochemical Engineering, Wiley, (2018), ISBN: 978-1-119-00425-7 (accessible via UT license) |
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Aanbevolen materiaalBoek| Bard & Falkner, Electrochemical Methods, Fundamentals and Applications, 2nd ed. (2001), ISBN: 978-0-471-04372-0. |
| Boek| Peter Atkins, Julio de Paula and James Keeler, Physical Chemistry, Oxford University Press, (2018), ISBN: 978-0-19-876986-6; in particular Chapters 5F.4 (p. 187-189), 6C-6D (p.217-228), 19D (p. 845-854). |
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WerkvormenColstructie| Aanwezigheidsplicht | | Ja |
| Hoorcollege| Aanwezigheidsplicht | | Ja |
| Overig onderwijs| Aanwezigheidsplicht | | Ja |
| Werkcollege| Aanwezigheidsplicht | | Ja |
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ToetsenTest 0
Opmerking1) Written exam 70% of the grade
2) Project work 30 % of the grade (Poster presentation)
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