Syllabus
1. Introduction to electrochemistry. - Basic concepts of electrochemistry. Electrochemical potential - surface potential, three-electrode setup.
2. Thermodynamics of electrochemical reactions. - Potential. Nernst's equation.
3. Electrode-electrolyte interface, electrochemical double layer, adsorption on electrode.
4. Kinetics of electrochemical reactions. - Overview of processes at electrode. Butler-Volmer and Tafel equations.
5. Reaction of hydrogen and electrocatalytic reaction.
6. Hydrogen desorption, reaction mechanism. - Volcano graph, hydrogen release on Pt (111), electrocatalysis on metal electrodes.
7. Deposition and dissolution of metals - Influence of morphology, surface diffusion, nucleation, 2D layer growth, dissolution.
8. Electrochemical surface processes.
9. Experimental methods of investigation of processes kinetics on electrodes. - Charge transfer, Chronoamperometry, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
10. Electrochemistry for energy applications. - Fuel cells, electrolyzers and batteries.
11. Applications of electrochemistry in scientific research. Combination of electrochemistry and surface physics.
Annotation
The course deals with basic theory and application of electrochemistry. It focuses on students who use electrochemical methods in their research.
The course begins with the general basics of electrochemistry. It then covers the theoretical fundamentals that form the basis of all the major electrochemical techniques and electroanalytical methods that are described in detail.
The aim of the lecture is to acquire basic knowledge in order to enable students to understand, analyze and independently solve problems related to electrochemical processes.