Electrochemistry

Electrochemistry
Note: The main discussion comes from the book “Electrochemistry: The Basics with Examples”
Introduction
It is the study of chemical processes involving the
movement of electrons between two electrodes. The
reactions thus taking place are called oxidation-reduction
(redox) reactions.
Electrochemistry may be referred to as an important
industry in addition to a scientific discipline.
Electrochemistry refers to controlling oxidation-reduction
reactions by applying a voltage or electric current. For example,
electroforming, which consists of forming an object by making a
deposit with an oxidation-reduction reaction, belongs to the field
of electrochemistry.
Scope of electrochemistry
The scope of the scientific field of electrochemistry can be
summarized as the search for links between current and voltage
at any given time, for a given electrochemical system.
Understanding these links allows one to anticipate the behaviour
of electrochemical devices and improve their performance.
Applications
The industrial applications of electrochemistry can be
classified under seven large categories: electrosynthesis,
surface treatments, energy storage and conversion, analysis
and measurements, the environment, corrosion and bio-
electrochemistry.
Electrosynthesis is a process used in heavy industry because,
depending on the material being produced, its energetic yield is
higher than that found in thermal synthesis processes. Moreover,
the processes used are selective and easy to control by means of
the voltage, the current and the amount of charge, which is a
very accurate indicator of the advancement rate in production.
The raw materials produced in the greatest quantities by
electrosynthesis are aluminium and sodium hydroxide.
In electrochemical surface treatments, if the experimental conditions are
suitably managed (namely current, voltage and the introduction of
surfactants), then it is possible to govern the nature of the deposit formed, as
well as its quality (porosity, sheen, etc.). This kind of process can be found in
various applications such as polishing and electroforming objects,
galvanoplasty (e.g., zinc depositing to protect against the corrosion of metal
parts in the car industry) and the decorative metal coating of objects (silver,
gold and chromium). Today, these techniques can also be found in the
microelectronic industry.
In energy storage devices and conversion, batteries play
an essential role in modern society. These days the use of
low-power applications is increasingly on the up in portable
electronic apparatus (telephones, computers, MP3 players,
etc.) or in the medical sector (hearing aids, pacemakers,
microinjectors, etc.).
In analysis and measurement:
Electrochemical sensors, the most ancient of which is the pH
electrode, are currently undergoing development in that their
prices are often low, they are easy to use and, most of all, they
are easy to insert into a regulation system.
Polarography is an electrochemical method using a mercury
drop electrode which permits analysis of a very high number of
chemical species. It is mainly used for analysing metal cations
in aqueous solutions.
In the environment sector, electrochemistry is still of little use on a
large scale, however predictions point towards significant growth in this
field in the future. Electrochemical techniques can be used for:
• separation, e.g., brackish water desalination through electrodialysis (the
membrane
processes is capable of producing up to 2000 m 3 per day), for supplying
fresh water to remote areas
• recovery, e.g., electrodepositing metallic elements such as copper,
nickel, zinc, cobalt, silver and gold, etc.,
• concentrating or purifying effluents through electrodialysis, or cathodic
deposition processes, etc.,
• destroying pollutants, e.g., the oxidation of cyanide ions into carbon
dioxide and nitrogen gas
Corrosion is a harmful electrochemical process. However,
sometimes, corrosion can be beneficial. For example, in the
process of dismantling of nuclear plants, corrosion can be
used to reduce the quantity of contaminated matter that has to
be stored.
Bioelectrochemistry: In addition to its list of increasing
widespread uses in the field of biosensors, bio-
electrochemistry is likely to grow in other sectors, such as
in the development of new processes.
Electrochemical Cells
Introduction
An electrochemical cell consists of two
electrodes, or metallic conductors, in
contact with an electrolyte, an ionic
conductor (which may be a solution, a
liquid, or a solid). An electrode and its
electrolyte comprise an electrode
compartment. The two electrodes may
share the same compartment. Courtesy: wikipedia
If the electrolytes are different, the two
compartments may be joined by a salt
bridge, which is a tube containing a
concentrated electrolyte solution (for
instance, potassium chloride in agar jelly)
that completes the electrical circuit and
enables the cell to function.
Main classes of electrochemical cells
A galvanic cell is an electrochemical cell that produces
electricity as a result of the spontaneous reaction occurring
inside it.
An electrolytic cell is an electrochemical cell in which a non-
spontaneous reaction is driven by an external source of current.
Types of electrodes
Inert Electrode
It is an electrode that does not
take part in the electrochemical
reactions, rather used only as
sink/conductor of electrons. So it
acts as a catalyst for the reaction
taking place in the cell
compartment. Courtesy: course.lumenlearning.com
Metal/Metal-ion Electrode
In this type, a metal
electrode is dipped into the
solution of its ions. For
example, a zinc electrode
immersed in ZnSO4
solution. Courtesy: qsstudy.com
Gas Electrode
It consists of gas adsorbed or
bubbled on a metal electrode (for
example Pt) dipped into the
solution containing ions coming
from that gas. One famous
example is standard hydrogen
electrode.
Redox Electrode
An inert metal such as platinum is dipped into a solution of
the ions of a metal with different oxidation states. For
example,
Pt(s)|Fe2+(aq),Fe3+(aq)
Redution: Fe3+(aq)+e-→Fe2+(aq)
Oxidation: Fe2+(aq)→Fe3+ +e-(aq)
Copyright: Atkin’s Physical Chemistry

Electrochemistry

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Electrochemistry

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Electrochemistry

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Electrochemistry

You might also like