Electrochemistry: Methods and Chemical Applications

Catalog description

The goal of this course is for students to gain an understanding of the principles of electrochemistry along with some practical experience. Potentiometric methods will be discussed in the context of electrochemical equilibrium. Amperometric analytical methods -- chronoamperometry, chronocoulometry, stripping voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, pulse polarography, AC impedance, and hydrodynamic methods -- will be described from the perspective of mathematical models of mass transport and electrode kinetics. As time permits, special topics and applications, such as electrochemical energy conversion, spectroelectrochemistry, photoelectrochemistry, ultramicroelectrodes, microfluidics, corrosion, electrochemical synthesis, and scanning electrochemical microscopy, will be covered. To complement and reinforce the material learned in class, students will fabricate electrodes, perform cyclic voltammetry and other experiments, and analyze electrochemical data. Equipment will be available in the instructor's research laboratory to do these experiments in small groups on students' own time outside of class. The instructor will provide out-of-class assistance to students who are not yet familiar with the use of electrochemical equipment.