Description
Objectives
Learning about the fundamentals of Electrochemical reactions, including their thermodynamic and kinetic parameters. Knowing about the main types of electrochemical cells for production/storage of energy. Students should be capable of: - describing the basic parameters relevant for electrochemical devices, including batteries and fuel cells. - calculating the storage efficiency of a battery or an electrochemical reactor. - calculating the fundamental parameters controlling the quality and the efficiency of a battery.
Syllabus
Introduction. Relevance of the subject. Fundamentals of Electrochemistry. Electrode reactions and global reaction. Galvanic and electrolytic cells. Termodynamics. Change in free energy and electromotive force. The Electrochemical series. Kinetics of an electrode process. Butler-Volmer and Tafel equations. Faraday's law. Electrochemistry of Materials. Electrochemical corrosion. Batteries. Primary and secondary batteries. Fundamentals and relevant parameters. Examples of commercial batteries. Charge-discharge cycles. Storage efficiency and self-discharge. Fuel cells (FCs) basics and technologies: phosphoric acid, fused carbonate, solid oxide and alkaline fuel cells. Other cells for electricity storage: Redox Flow cells. Hydrogen fuel storage.
Prerequisites
Some general fundamentals of Chemistry from the 1st cycle.
Cross Competence Component
Communication and organization: Students are expected to prepare a presentation of their monograph and to make a short (15 -18 min) presentation of the work, followed by 10 min discussion. Time control, good communication with the audience and appealing slides are considered, as well as the capability of openly discussing the subject and their own work. The level of the presentation is critical for the grade (roughly 1/3 of the monograph grade, M). Autonomy and planning: students are supposed to be autonomous in the (literature) research within the scope of the monograph. It is expected that these skills will contribute with 10% to the overall evaluation.
Laboratorial Component
Each group of 2 (max 3) students should develop one short laboratory project, to be selected from a list proposed by the coordinator. This will mean laboratory work in 3-4 sessions, either distributed along the semester or concentrated in one week only. Dates to be arranged with the teaching staff. Projects should be focused on one of the subjects treated in class. Examples: - Characterization of a rechargeable battery (lithium-ion, Zn-AgO or lead- acid), using classical techniques such as polarization curve, charge-discharge cycles; determination of capacity or/and storage efficiency. - Characterization of a non-recheargeable cell (litium metal, or some other cell). - Experimental practice of one specific electrochemical technique. - Development and characterization of a home-made electrochemical cell - Experimental contact with corrosion science using modern electrochemical techniques.
Programming And Computing Component
- Modelling of a battery using dedicated software (Matlab, Simulink or equivalent). Work developped by groups of 2 students. - Basic computing, for both presentation and data treatment.
Ethical Principles
All members of a group are responsible for the group´s work. In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used. In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.