Ateneo - UPO

The main theoretical and applied aspects of modern electrochemistry will be illustrated (particularly focused on inorganic, industrial, environmental, and biological applications) exploiting the connections suggested by the interdisciplinary nature of the subject.

Lesson presentations
Allen J. Bard, Larry R. Faulkner, “Electrochemical Methods: Fundamentals and Applications”, Wiley, 2000.

The aim of the course is to provide to the students the knowledge of the principles and the practical notion of modern electrochemistry and to develop their ability to apply them to simple real cases; provide a suitable chemical vocabulary suitable for the topics of the course. He will develop the ability in making judgments and autonomously deepen the arguments treated in the course.

General and inorganic chemistry, Maths I & II, Physical Chemistry I & II

Theoretical lessons in the classroom with discussion of examples. Moreover, the student will study autonomously in depth one of the subjects of the applicative part of the course to evaluate learning and communication skills and ability of making judgments.

The in itinere learning control is based on collective discussions.

Oral exam with two questions (one about the general theory of electrochemistry and other about one of the electrochemical techniques developed during the lessons) on the theoretical part of the course will be proposed. The student must also present one of the topics of the application part autonomously in-depth studied, of his choice. From this discussion, the teacher will pose specific questions to deepen some of the aspects of the topic chosen by the student. Such an exam verifies the theoretical knowledge and the ability to apply them, and, moreover, the learning and communication skills and the ability of making judgments. The student with all the listed abilities/capacities will be given the highest grade. To pass the exam the student will have to prove at least the knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts.

The course aims to illustrate the main theoretical and applied aspects of modern electrochemistry exploiting the connections suggested by the interdisciplinary nature of the subject. In particular, in the course we will (a) study the properties of electrolytic solutions and the interphase between electrode and solution in equilibrium and in non-equilibrium conditions (polarization, charge transfer and chemical reaction), (b) illustrate the most important techniques for the study of electrochemical electrode processes and their use in problems of inorganic, industrial, environmental and biological interest.
Theory: electrochemical systems, definitions and conventions. The interphase region: electron transfer at the interphase electrode-solution and its kinetic adsorption phenomena. Subsequent chemical and electrochemical steps and their combination in redox processes. Mass transfer kinetics of electrochemical reactions under mass transfer control. Electrochemical techniques: techniques with (polarography) and without (voltammetry) renewal of the diffusion layer. Other techniques: pulsed techniques, hydrodynamic techniques, stripping, exhaustive electrolysis. Applications of the studied electrochemical techniques.
Applications: In this part the study of the application of electrochemistry in the field of inorganic, industrial, environmental, or biological chemistry will be discussed: In particular: industrial electrochemistry, corrosion, environmental electrochemistry, and bioelectrochemistry. In particular:
Industrial electrochemistry. Electrolytic cells, Factors influencing the electrochemical process, Electrorefining and electrowinning, Electroplating, Anodization, Chlor-Alkali process, Alternative processes for the electrochemical production of soda and oxidants (hypochlorite, chlorates, H2O2, O3, etc.). Hydrogen and fuel cells. Organic electrochemical processes: EHD-Monsanto process

Corrosion: corrosion cell and description of various types of corrosion, Thermodynamics and corrosion, Corrosion measurement, Corrosion protection methods.

Electroremediation: Principles and cells, Electroremediation of metals (Electrodialysis and electrowinning), Electroremediation of organic substances, Electroremediation of soils.

Bio / medical applications of electrochemical techniques: Electrochemical detectors for chromatography, Ion-selective electrodes (ISE), Liquid membrane electrodes, Gas electrodes, Lambda probe, Measurement of gastroesophageal pH, Determinations of dissolved gases and electrolytes (dialysis), Biosensors, Determination of glucose in the blood (glycaemia).

Knowledge and understanding: knowledge of the theory and the main techniques used in electrochemistry; knowledge of the main applications of electrochemistry in inorganic, industrial and environmental chemistry and in biology.

Applying knowledge and understanding: ability to apply the theory in the solution of electrochemical exercises and to the interpretation of experimental data.

Making judgements: skill to critically evaluate the concepts learnt.

Communication skills: Ability to clearly describe a subject autonomously in-depth studied with suitable language; achievement of a suitable scientific language to speak in a precise, concise and clear manner.

Learning skills: ability to use the teaching material for a critical and reasoned study and ability to in-depth study an electrochemical application autonomously.