Electrochemistry Course

Lesson 1 • Oxidation States and Redox Concepts

Defines oxidation and reduction in terms of electron transfer and oxidation number changes. Links these definitions to observable chemical transformations.

Lesson 2 • Introduction to Electrochemical Cells

Introduces galvanic and electrolytic cells as physical embodiments of redox reactions. Connects spontaneous electron flow to measurable electrical energy.

Lesson 3 • Balancing Redox Equations

Teaches the half-reaction method for balancing redox equations in acidic and basic media. Reinforces conservation of mass and charge as guiding principles.

Lesson 1 • Cell Potential and Gibbs Free Energy

Derives the relationship ΔG = −nFE and applies it to spontaneity and work calculations. Bridges thermodynamic theory with measurable electrochemical quantities.

Lesson 2 • Equilibrium Constants and Cell Potential

Establishes the quantitative link between equilibrium constant K and standard cell potential E°. Students calculate K from E° and interpret electrochemical equilibria.

Lesson 3 • The Nernst Equation

Extends standard potentials to non-standard conditions using the Nernst equation. Enables prediction of cell voltage at any concentration, temperature, or pressure.

Lesson 4 • Standard Electrode Potentials

Defines the standard hydrogen electrode and the electrochemical series. Students use reduction potential tables to predict cell voltage and reaction direction.

Lesson 1 • Ionic Conductivity and Mobility

Defines molar conductivity, ionic mobility, and their dependence on concentration. Establishes quantitative tools for comparing electrolyte performance.

Lesson 2 • Activity Coefficients and Debye-Hückel Theory

Explains deviations from ideal ionic behavior using activity coefficients and ionic strength. Enables accurate thermodynamic calculations in real electrolyte solutions.

Lesson 3 • Electrolyte Selection Criteria

Synthesizes conductivity, stability, safety, and compatibility factors into a selection framework. Directly applicable to device design decisions in subsequent chapters.

Lesson 4 • Solid and Polymer Electrolytes

Compares ion-conduction mechanisms in solid oxides, ceramics, and polymer membranes. Prepares students to evaluate electrolytes for batteries and fuel cells.

Lesson 1 • Overpotential Types and Sources

Classifies activation, concentration, and ohmic overpotentials and their relative magnitudes. Guides students in diagnosing efficiency losses in electrochemical devices.

Lesson 2 • Butler-Volmer Equation

Derives the Butler-Volmer equation relating current density to overpotential and transfer coefficient. Central to quantifying how fast electrode reactions proceed.

Lesson 3 • Electrode-Electrolyte Interface

Describes the electrical double layer structure and its role in charge-transfer kinetics. Provides the physical foundation for understanding interfacial resistance.

Lesson 4 • Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy Basics

Introduces EIS as a technique to separate kinetic and transport contributions using frequency response. Prepares students to interpret Nyquist and Bode plots.

Lesson 1 • Chronoamperometry and Chronopotentiometry

Analyzes current-time and potential-time transients to extract diffusion coefficients and reaction rates. Complements cyclic voltammetry with time-domain kinetic data.

Lesson 2 • Cyclic Voltammetry

Teaches potential scanning, peak current analysis, and reversibility criteria in cyclic voltammetry. Enables mechanistic and kinetic characterization of redox couples.

Lesson 3 • Electrochemical Biosensors

Integrates biological recognition elements with electrochemical transduction for selective analyte detection. Bridges analytical electrochemistry with biomedical and environmental sensing.

Lesson 4 • Potentiometry and Ion-Selective Electrodes

Covers the Nernst-based measurement of ion activity using reference and indicator electrodes. Introduces ion-selective membranes and their selectivity coefficients.

Lesson 1 • Battery Fundamentals and Terminology

Defines capacity, energy density, power density, C-rate, and cycle life as core battery metrics. Establishes a common vocabulary for comparing battery technologies.

Lesson 2 • Lithium-Ion Battery Chemistry

Covers intercalation mechanisms, common cathode and anode materials, and electrolyte requirements. Explains why lithium-ion dominates portable and electric-vehicle applications.

Lesson 3 • Lead-Acid and Nickel-Based Batteries

Analyzes electrode reactions, electrolyte chemistry, and failure modes in mature battery technologies. Provides a reference baseline for evaluating advanced chemistries.

Lesson 4 • Next-Generation Battery Technologies

Surveys solid-state, lithium-sulfur, and lithium-air batteries as emerging high-energy alternatives. Connects fundamental electrochemistry to ongoing research challenges.

Lesson 1 • Electrocatalysis and Catalyst Design

Examines platinum-group and non-precious metal catalysts for hydrogen and oxygen reactions. Connects catalyst surface properties to activity and durability.

Lesson 2 • Water Electrolysis for Hydrogen Production

Covers alkaline, PEM, and solid oxide electrolysis cell designs and their efficiency metrics. Positions electrolysis as the key pathway for green hydrogen production.

Lesson 3 • Fuel Cell Operating Principles

Describes hydrogen oxidation, oxygen reduction, and proton or ion transport in fuel cells. Establishes the thermodynamic efficiency ceiling and real-world losses.

Lesson 4 • Fuel Cell Types and Applications

Compares proton exchange membrane, solid oxide, alkaline, and phosphoric acid fuel cells by operating conditions. Matches cell type to application requirements.

Lesson 1 • Metal Refining and Electrowinning

Describes electrorefining and electrowinning as methods for purifying and recovering metals from ore leachates. Highlights selectivity and energy consumption as key metrics.

Lesson 2 • Corrosion and Cathodic Protection

Frames corrosion as an uncontrolled electrochemical process and cathodic protection as its mitigation. Applies mixed-potential theory to real infrastructure protection scenarios.

Lesson 3 • Electrodeposition and Electroplating

Covers nucleation, growth mechanisms, and bath chemistry for depositing metal coatings. Connects deposit morphology to current density and additive selection.

Lesson 4 • Electrochemical Machining and Etching

Explains anodic dissolution for precision shaping and surface patterning of metals. Demonstrates how controlled electrochemistry enables microfabrication.