Undergraduate Teaching Notes

Electrochemistry Fundamentals

In this section a general introduction to electrochemical measurements is covered. The material provides a general overview of electrolysis along with descriptions of the various forms of mass transport that may control an electrochemical reaction. Later sections introduce the ideas behind voltammetry and illustrate by animation how the concentrationof reagents changes during electrolysis. In the final sections detailed studies on topics such as fuels cells are outlined.

• Introduction
• Electrode Kinetics
• Mass Transport
• Potential Step Voltammetry
• Linear Sweep & Cyclic Voltammetry: The Principles
• Cyclic Voltammetry: The Investigation of Electrolysis Mechanisms
• AC Cyclic Voltammetry
• Hydrodynamic Voltammetry
• Spectroelectrochemistry
• The Electrical Double Layer
• Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy
• Solar cells - Dye Sensitised Devices
• Fuel cells
• Microelectrochemical Reactors

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

In this section we introduce the essential information required to analyse the response of an electrical circuit to the imposition of a steady or sinusoidally varying voltage. In the early parts we review the basic electrical components (resistors, capacitors and inductors) and define what is meant by current, voltage, capacitance, inductance and resistance. In the later sections we illustrate a method for breaking down complex circuits and predicting the impedance response.

Introduction to Electrical Circuits

• Circuit Components

Electrical Circuit Response to a Fixed Voltage

• Resistors in Series
• Resistors in Parallel
• Series - Parallel Circuits

Electrical Circuit Response to an applied Sinusoidal Voltage

• Impedance Analysis - Basics
• Single: Capacitor, Resistor or Inductor Circuits
• Resistor and Capacitors in Series
• Resistor and Capacitors in Parallel

Teaching Notes - usage of text and images

Text and images within this section may be used for academic, non-commercial and non-profit making purposes and should be credited to
Dr A C Fisher, Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge.
To cite content from these pages, please use the following form:
Fisher, A. C. "Electrochemistry Teaching Notes" in the website of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge, 2010. https://www.ceb.cam.ac.uk/research/groups/rg-eme/education-1/undergraduate-teaching-notes