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

Lecture

Butler-Volmer Equation

In course

ChE-407: Electrochemical engineering

This course builds upon the underlying theory in thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, and transport and applies these methods to electrosynthesis, fuel cell, and battery applications. Special focus is placed on addressing current challenges in state-of-the-a ...

Description

This lecture covers the derivation and simplifications of the Butler-Volmer equation for electrochemical reactions, including the determination of exchange current density and symmetry factor. It also explains the analytical expression for current-voltage curves and the characterization of electrode reactions through kinetics. Practical examples and solutions are provided for better understanding.

Instructors (2)

Nikolaos Vlachopoulos

Ardemis Anoush Boghossian

Official source

Ontological neighbourhood

Chemistry

Physical chemistry: Electrochemistry

Related concepts (32)

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.

Electrochemistry

Electrochemistry is the branch of physical chemistry concerned with the relationship between electrical potential difference, as a measurable and quantitative phenomenon, and identifiable chemical change, with the potential difference as an outcome of a particular chemical change, or vice versa. These reactions involve electrons moving via an electronically-conducting phase (typically an external electrical circuit, but not necessarily, as in electroless plating) between electrodes separated by an ionically conducting and electronically insulating electrolyte (or ionic species in a solution).

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 ".

Electrode potential

In electrochemistry, electrode potential is the electromotive force of a galvanic cell built from a standard reference electrode and another electrode to be characterized. By convention, the reference electrode is the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE). It is defined to have a potential of zero volts. It may also be defined as the potential difference between the charged metallic rods and salt solution. The electrode potential has its origin in the potential difference developed at the interface between the electrode and the electrolyte.

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.

Related lectures (31)

Electrochemistry Fundamentals

Covers the fundamentals of electrochemistry, focusing on cell potential, current production, and the relationship between current and reactant conversion.

Butler-Volmer Equation: Simplifications and Interpretations

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

Mass Transport in Butler-Volmer Equation

Explores the influence of mass transport on the Butler-Volmer Equation and analyzes the total overpotential and its components.

Hydrogen Economy: Fuel Cells and Electrochemistry

Explores fuel cells, electrocatalysis, and the hydrogen economy, emphasizing energy efficiency and challenges in catalyst materials.

Electrochemical Kinetics