Week 018

Electrochemistry
Week 018: Electrochemistry

Redox Reactions
Learn about redox reactions and how to assign
oxidation states.

Distinguish between reducing or oxidizing

agents.

Balance redox reactions in acidic and basic

medium.

Advanced electroanalytical methods are important in various aspects of industrial

applications from food processing to medicine.
Accessed on January 28, 2019 from https://www.southampton.ac.uk/chemistry/postgraduate/taught_courses/msc-
electrochemistry-and-battery-technologies.page.
Week 018: Electrochemistry

Energy in or Energy out

• Galvanic (or voltaic) cell relies on spontaneous process to

generate a potential capable of performing work – energy
out
• Electrolytic cell performs chemical reactions through
application of a potential – energy in
Week 018: Electrochemistry

Physical Separation is Important

Accessed on April 27, 2019 from
https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-
1115119-dissolution-potassium-permanganate-
water-abstract-colored-spots.

• Each metal in touch with a solution of its own ions

• External circuit carries electrons transferred during the redox process
• A “salt bridge” containing neutral ions completes the internal circuit.
• With no current flowing, a potential develops – the potential for work
• Unlike the reaction in the beaker, the energy released by the reaction in the
cell can perform useful work – like lighting a bulb
Week 018: Electrochemistry

Labelling the parts

Accessed on April 27, 2019 from

https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-
1115119-dissolution-potassium-permanganate-
water-abstract-colored-spots.
Week 018: Electrochemistry

Cell notation

• Anode on left, cathode on right

• Electrons flow from left to right
• Oxidation on left, reduction on right
• Single vertical = electrode/electrolyte boundary
• Double vertical = salt bridge
Anode: Cathode:
Zn →Zn2+ Cu2+ + 2e
+ 2e →Cu

Accessed on April 27, 2019 from

https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-
1115119-dissolution-potassium-permanganate-
water-abstract-colored-spots.
Week 018: Electrochemistry

Standard Reduction Potential

• The total cell potential is the sum of the potentials for the two half
reactions at each electrode
• Ecell = Ecath + Ean
• From the cell voltage we cannot determine the values of either – we must
know one to get the other
• Enter the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE)
• All potentials are referenced to the SHE (=0 V)
Week 018: Electrochemistry

Standard Reduction Potential

Week 018: Electrochemistry

Redox Reactions
Potassium permanganate, KMnO 4,
is one of the strongest oxidizing
agents used in chemical reactions. It
is typically used as a medication to
clean wounds and to treat
dermatitis.
Accessed on April 10, 2019 from
https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-
1115119-dissolution-potassium-permanganate-
water-abstract-colored-spots.
Week 018: Electrochemistry

Redox Reactions
Hydrogen is produced from the oxidation of water. The
picture on the right, bubbles form during water oxidation as
catalyzed by a new tetra-cobalt water oxidation catalyst.
The new catalysts is developed and is hoped to improve
generation of hydrogen fuel from water.
Accessed on April 10, 2019 from
https://www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/mmg_disp.jsp?med_id=76702
Week 018: Electrochemistry

The Galvanic cell

Learn about electrochemical cells.

Identify reactions in the anode and cathode

of galvanic cells and prepare a schematic
representation of galvanic cell with all its
parts.

Determine the cell potential of a cell from

standard reduction potentials.
Batteries are the most common examples of galvanic cells. The introduction
of batteries has revolutionized mobility of humans in the modern world
Accessed on January 28,, 2019 from https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2018/01/are-expensive-
batteries-better-than-cheap-batteries/.
Week 018: Electrochemistry

The Galvanic cell

Lightning is produced when two electrically charged
regions in the atmosphere equalize the positive and
negative charges existing between the regions. Lightning
carries massive amount of energy that a single bolt may be
sufficient to power a home for a month.
Accessed on April 10, 2019 from https://physicsworld.com/a/lightning-
creates-radioactive-isotopes/.
Week 018: Electrochemistry

The Galvanic cell

Solar cells store the energy from the sun and use this to
power households. Solar cells are composed of multiple
photovoltaic cells, which convert sunlight to electricity.
Photons, particles of light, knock electrons from atoms
in solar cells and these electrons start a flow of
electricity.
Accessed on April 10, 2019 from http://www.fz-
juelich.de/portal/EN/Research/EnergyEnvironment/Photovoltaics/constr
uction.html?nn=868554.
Week 018: Electrochemistry

Electrolytic cell
Understand the basic components and
reactions in an electrolytic cell.

Determine the required potential for an

electrolytic cell to function.

Distinguish between galvanic and electrolytic

cells.

The applications of electrochemistry has been limited by the necessity to connect devices with wires,
which may be circumvented by this recent advances in wireless electrochemical devices.
Accessed on January 28,, 2019 from https://www.knowledgeexchange.unsw.edu.au/technologies/wireless-light-activated-
electrochemistry.
Week 018: Electrochemistry

Electrolytic cell

Electroplating may be used for decorative pieces such as the items pictured above. Electroplating
may also be used to protect surfaces from corrosion.
Accessed on April 10, 2019 from https://www.heimerle-meule.com/services/electroplating-services/decorative-electroplating/
Week 018: Electrochemistry

Electrolytic cell
Barnacles grow on the hull of ships and
make operation of these vessels difficult
because of the drag in the water. To prevent
barnacles from growing on ships, builders
coat the surface of the ship with chromated
copper arsenate, a chemical that is
dangerous for living organisms. The
chromated copper arsenate undergoes
oxidation.
Accessed on April 10, 2019 from
https://phys.org/news/2016-10-barnacle-ship-
biofouling.html