Mediaspace scheduled maintenance: Aug 25, 2026 07:00 - 12:00 AM. During this time, videos will be temporarily unavailable. Check status updates.

Lecture

Photochemistry II: Electron Transfer Kinetics

Description

This lecture delves into the dynamics of electron transfer reactions in photochemistry, focusing on the nuclear reorganization-controlled kinetics. It covers the Marcus-Levich theory, the formation of precursor complexes, and the geometrical derivation of the Marcus equation. The discussion extends to Marcus-Hush theory, the avoided crossing of potential energy surfaces, and the Marcus vs. Tafel equation. Additionally, it explores adiabatic vs. diabatic electron transfer processes, the nuclear reorganization energy, and Fermi's golden rule for diabatic electron transfer. Practical applications and theoretical implications are thoroughly examined.

Official source

Related concepts (32)

Electron configuration

In atomic physics and quantum chemistry, the electron configuration is the distribution of electrons of an atom or molecule (or other physical structure) in atomic or molecular orbitals. For example, the electron configuration of the neon atom is 1s2 2s2 2p6, meaning that the 1s, 2s and 2p subshells are occupied by 2, 2 and 6 electrons respectively. Electronic configurations describe each electron as moving independently in an orbital, in an average field created by all other orbitals.

Tafel equation

The Tafel equation is an equation in electrochemical kinetics relating the rate of an electrochemical reaction to the overpotential. The Tafel equation was first deduced experimentally and was later shown to have a theoretical justification. The equation is named after Swiss chemist Julius Tafel." It describes how the electrical current through an electrode depends on the voltage difference between the electrode and the bulk electrolyte for a simple, unimolecular redox reaction ".

Electrochemical kinetics

Electrochemical kinetics is the field of electrochemistry that studies the rate of electrochemical processes. This includes the study of how process conditions, such as concentration and electric potential, influence the rate of oxidation and reduction (redox) reactions that occur at the surface of an electrode, as well as an investigation into electrochemical reaction mechanisms.

Voltammetry

Voltammetry is a category of electroanalytical methods used in analytical chemistry and various industrial processes. In voltammetry, information about an analyte is obtained by measuring the current as the potential is varied. The analytical data for a voltammetric experiment comes in the form of a voltammogram which plots the current produced by the analyte versus the potential of the working electrode. Voltammetry is the study of current as a function of applied potential.

Overpotential

In electrochemistry, overpotential is the potential difference (voltage) between a half-reaction's thermodynamically-determined reduction potential and the potential at which the redox event is experimentally observed. The term is directly related to a cell's voltage efficiency. In an electrolytic cell the existence of overpotential implies that the cell requires more energy than thermodynamically expected to drive a reaction. In a galvanic cell the existence of overpotential means less energy is recovered than thermodynamics predicts.

Related lectures (24)

Butler-Volmer Equation: Simplifications and Interpretations

Explores the Butler-Volmer equation simplifications, interpretations of kº, and mass transport effects in electrochemical reactions.

Electrocatalysis Fundamentals

Covers the basics of electrocatalysis, including exchange current density and Tafel slope.

Solar Energy Conversion Devices

Explores solar energy conversion devices, electrochemistry, efficiency calculations, and mass transfer modes in solar energy systems.

Electrochemical Kinetics

Delves into electrochemical kinetics, covering fuel cells, Butler-Volmer equation, current-voltage curves, and charge transfer resistance.

Mass Transport in Butler-Volmer Equation