2013/14 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
CHEM3191 Electrochemical Methods and Devices
10 creditsClass Size: 30
Module manager: Dr R.J. Ansell
Email: R.J.Ansell@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2013/14
Pre-requisite qualifications
Level 2 in Nantotechnology (Chemical) or equivalentThis module is mutually exclusive with
| CHEM5191M | Electrochemical Methods and Devices |
This module is not approved as an Elective
Objectives
To introduce, illustrate and provide demonstrations and practice in the use of electrochemical methods and devices.Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students should be able to:
- describe an electrochemical system in terms of its half-cells and their electrode potentials as given by the Nernst equation, the direction of spontaneous change, and position of equilibrium.
- describe various electroanalytical techniques including ion-selective electrodes, potentiometric titrations and electrogravimetry, perform these using simple equipment and use the results to calculate concentrations of active species.
- describe the structure of an electrode-solution interface and how this changes as the potential applied to the electrode is changed.
- describe voltammetric methods such as polarography and cyclic voltammetry, explain the form of polarograms and CVs and use these to interpret the mechanism of electrochemical processes.
- describe the workings of an amperometric biosensor.
- explain the benefits of using surface modified electrodes.
- explain the principles by which batteries and fuel cells operate.
Syllabus
Background: Static cell, measurement of potential. Standard reduction potentials, standard hydrogen electrode, potential ladders, oxidation-reduction equilibria. Redox indicators and redox titrations. Reference electrodes for potentiometry: silver halide and calomel electrodes. Potentiometric titrations.
Potentiometric chemical sensors: The liquid-liquid junction potential. The glass electrode and H+ activity asymmetry potentials. Ion-selective electrodes; different glass varieties, liquid membrane electrodes particularly the Ca++ responsive electrode. Solid state electrodes. Gas sensors. Ion selective field effect transistors (ISFETs). Concentration determination by direct potentiometry.
Electrolytic methods: Electrogravimetry and coulometry.
The electrode-solution interface: The electric double layer. Zeta potential. The effect of current: Electrode polarisation and electrode dynamics. Chronoamperometry.
Polarography/Voltammetry: The polarography cell. The dropping mercury electrode. Diffusion current and half-wave potential. Effect of complexation of metal cations on half-wave potential. Determination of stability constants and stoichiometries of complex species.
Amperometric Titrations. Cyclic voltammetry. Studies of kinetics and mechanisms.
Devices and applications: Chemically modified electrodes & conducting polymers. Amperometric chemical sensors and biosensors. Batteries and fuel cells. Photovoltaics and photoelectrochemistry.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Example Class | 4 | 1.00 | 4.00 |
| Lecture | 14 | 1.00 | 14.00 |
| Practical | 2 | 1.00 | 2.00 |
| Independent online learning hours | 25.00 | ||
| Private study hours | 55.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100.00 | ||
Private study
- 2 hours reading per lectures = 28 hours- 4 hours examples class preparation = 4 hours
- 8 hours practical preparation and write-up = 8 hours
- 15 hours preparation for exam = 15 hours.
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Progress monitored through participation in lectures, examples classes and practical sessions; online assessed work.Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| In-course Assessment | 1 online assessment | 10.00 |
| Practical | 2 experiments | 20.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 30.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2 hr | 70.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 70.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 14/02/2013
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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