Electrochemical Cell Course

Lesson 1 • Core Components of Electrochemical Cells

Introduces electrodes, electrolytes, and separators as the physical building blocks of all electrochemical cells. Explains how each component enables ion and electron flow.

Lesson 2 • Atomic Structure and Electron Transfer

Covers atomic orbitals, valence electrons, and oxidation states as prerequisites for electrochemistry. Establishes the link between electron movement and chemical change.

Lesson 3 • Galvanic vs. Electrolytic Cells

Distinguishes spontaneous galvanic cells from driven electrolytic cells using thermodynamic criteria. Provides a classification framework used throughout the course.

Lesson 4 • Oxidation and Reduction Fundamentals

Defines oxidation and reduction in terms of electron gain and loss. Connects redox concepts to energy release and storage in electrochemical systems.

Lesson 1 • Entropy, Enthalpy, and Electrochemical Work

Examines how enthalpy and entropy contributions determine maximum electrical work. Highlights temperature dependence of cell performance.

Lesson 2 • The Nernst Equation

Derives and applies the Nernst equation to calculate cell potential at non-standard conditions. Demonstrates how concentration and temperature shift voltage output.

Lesson 3 • Activity, Fugacity, and Real Systems

Introduces activity coefficients and fugacity to account for non-ideal behavior in real electrolytes. Bridges ideal thermodynamic models to practical cell measurements.

Lesson 4 • Gibbs Free Energy and Cell Potential

Derives the relationship between Gibbs free energy change and standard cell potential. Connects thermodynamic spontaneity to measurable voltage output.

Lesson 1 • Ionic Dissociation and Solvation

Explains how salts dissociate and ions become solvated in solution, determining electrolyte strength. Connects solvation energy to ion mobility and conductivity.

Lesson 2 • Ionic Mobility and Transport Numbers

Quantifies how fast individual ions move under an electric field using mobility and transport numbers. Relates these values to overall electrolyte conductivity.

Lesson 3 • Electrolyte Stability and Decomposition

Identifies electrochemical stability windows and degradation pathways that limit electrolyte lifetime. Connects stability to safe operating voltage ranges.

Lesson 4 • Non-Aqueous and Solid Electrolytes

Surveys organic solvent-based, ionic liquid, and solid-state electrolytes used in advanced cell designs. Compares conductivity, stability, and safety trade-offs.

Lesson 1 • Overpotential and Polarization

Defines activation, concentration, and ohmic overpotentials as losses that reduce cell efficiency. Connects each overpotential type to its physical origin.

Lesson 2 • Butler-Volmer Equation

Derives the Butler-Volmer equation relating current density to overpotential and transfer coefficients. Enables quantitative prediction of electrode reaction rates.

Lesson 3 • Electrode-Electrolyte Interface Structure

Describes the electrical double layer and its role in controlling charge transfer at electrode surfaces. Establishes the structural basis for kinetic models.

Lesson 4 • Mass Transport at Electrodes

Covers diffusion, migration, and convection as mechanisms delivering reactants to electrode surfaces. Links transport limitations to concentration overpotential.

Lesson 1 • Secondary Cell Chemistries

Analyzes rechargeable chemistries including lead-acid, nickel-metal hydride, and lithium-ion cells. Connects electrode reactions to charge-discharge reversibility.

Lesson 2 • Primary Cell Chemistries

Examines non-rechargeable cell chemistries including zinc-carbon, alkaline, and lithium primary cells. Compares energy density, shelf life, and discharge profiles.

Lesson 3 • Battery Management and Safety

Covers state-of-charge estimation, thermal management, and protection circuits for safe battery operation. Links management strategies to extended cycle life and hazard prevention.

Lesson 4 • Cycle Life and Degradation Mechanisms

Identifies physical and chemical degradation mechanisms that reduce battery cycle life. Connects degradation modes to measurable capacity fade and impedance rise.

Lesson 1 • Electrochemical Synthesis

Surveys electrolytic production of chlorine, hydrogen, and organic compounds via industrial electrolysis. Evaluates selectivity, yield, and energy efficiency of electrochemical synthesis routes.

Lesson 2 • Electrodeposition Mechanisms

Describes nucleation, crystal growth, and surface diffusion steps that determine deposit morphology. Links deposition conditions to grain size and surface finish.

Lesson 3 • Plating Bath Composition and Control

Identifies the role of metal salts, complexing agents, buffers, and additives in plating bath formulation. Explains how bath chemistry controls deposit properties.

Lesson 4 • Industrial Electrorefining and Electrowinning

Applies electrolytic principles to copper refining and metal recovery from leach solutions. Compares cell design and energy consumption for industrial-scale operations.

Lesson 1 • Fuel Cell System Integration

Covers balance-of-plant components including humidifiers, compressors, and thermal management systems. Connects system-level design to overall efficiency and reliability.

Lesson 2 • Fuel Cell Operating Principles

Explains how fuel cells convert chemical energy directly to electricity via continuous reactant supply. Contrasts fuel cell operation with battery discharge and combustion engines.

Lesson 3 • Types of Fuel Cells

Surveys proton exchange membrane, solid oxide, molten carbonate, and alkaline fuel cell types. Compares operating temperature, electrolyte, and application suitability for each type.

Lesson 4 • Polarization Losses in Fuel Cells

Quantifies activation, ohmic, and mass transport losses using polarization curves. Identifies dominant loss mechanisms at different current density regions.

Lesson 1 • Cyclic Voltammetry and Linear Sweep Techniques

Uses cyclic and linear sweep voltammetry to identify redox couples, reaction mechanisms, and kinetic parameters. Connects peak positions and currents to thermodynamic and kinetic data.

Lesson 2 • Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

Applies EIS to separate and quantify resistive, capacitive, and diffusive contributions in electrochemical cells. Interprets Nyquist and Bode plots to diagnose cell components.

Lesson 3 • In-Situ and Operando Characterization

Surveys X-ray diffraction, spectroscopy, and microscopy techniques applied during cell operation. Connects structural and chemical changes to electrochemical performance data.

Lesson 4 • Electrochemical Sensors and Biosensors

Applies electrochemical principles to amperometric, potentiometric, and impedimetric sensor designs. Evaluates sensitivity, selectivity, and detection limits for analytical applications.