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Lecture

Dynamic Electrochemistry: Butler-Volmer Equation

In course

CH-341: Physical chemistry of interfaces

Acquire an understanding of interfacial phenomena, micro-heterogeneous colloidal solution systems and dynamic electrochemistry. ...

Description

This lecture covers dynamic electrochemistry, focusing on the Butler-Volmer equation and its applications in determining cell potential, equilibrium constants, and reaction kinetics. Topics include standard potentials, Nernst's law, electrolysis, and Tafel plots.

Instructor

Rainer Beck

Professor titulaire EPFL, 2006 Privat Docent EPFL, 1997 Habilitation and venia legendi, Universität Karlsruhe, 1996 Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry, Oregon State University, 1990 Degree in Physics, Universität Stuttgart, 1985

Official source

Ontological neighbourhood

Chemistry

Physical chemistry: Electrochemistry

Related concepts (32)

Standard electrode potential

In electrochemistry, standard electrode potential , or , is a measure of the reducing power of any element or compound. The IUPAC "Gold Book" defines it as: "the value of the standard emf (electromotive force) of a cell in which molecular hydrogen under standard pressure is oxidized to solvated protons at the left-hand electrode". The basis for an electrochemical cell, such as the galvanic cell, is always a redox reaction which can be broken down into two half-reactions: oxidation at anode (loss of electron) and reduction at cathode (gain of electron).

Reduction potential

Redox potential (also known as oxidation / reduction potential, ORP, pe, , or ) is a measure of the tendency of a chemical species to acquire electrons from or lose electrons to an electrode and thereby be reduced or oxidised respectively. Redox potential is expressed in volts (V). Each species has its own intrinsic redox potential; for example, the more positive the reduction potential (reduction potential is more often used due to general formalism in electrochemistry), the greater the species' affinity for electrons and tendency to be reduced.

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 ".

Chemical equilibrium

In a chemical reaction, chemical equilibrium is the state in which both the reactants and products are present in concentrations which have no further tendency to change with time, so that there is no observable change in the properties of the system. This state results when the forward reaction proceeds at the same rate as the reverse reaction. The reaction rates of the forward and backward reactions are generally not zero, but they are equal. Thus, there are no net changes in the concentrations of the reactants and products.

Standard hydrogen electrode

In electrochemistry, the standard hydrogen electrode (abbreviated SHE), is a redox electrode which forms the basis of the thermodynamic scale of oxidation-reduction potentials. Its absolute electrode potential is estimated to be 4.44 ± 0.02 V at 25 °C, but to form a basis for comparison with all other electrochemical reactions, hydrogen's standard electrode potential (E°) is declared to be zero volts at any temperature. Potentials of all other electrodes are compared with that of the standard hydrogen electrode at the same temperature.

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