Interfacial Electrochemistry

Code:

Q4105

Acronym:

Q4105

Level:

400

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Chemistry

Instance: 2020/2021 - 2S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Nanomaterials Science and Technology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M:CTN	7	Official Study Plan since 2020_M:CTN	1	-	3	21	81

Teaching language

English

Objectives

The aim of this course is to develop the students’ knowledge of interfacial electrochemistry. This includes both the understanding of fundamental aspects of electrochemistry, as well as techniques for characterization of the electrochemical processes at different electrode surfaces.

Learning outcomes and competences

Students will be able to interpret the phenomena that occur when an aqueous solution is in contact with the surface of an electrode and describe the structure of an electrochemical cell. Students will also be able to interpret the current response as a function of the time of a redox system, when the electrode potential is varied by a sequence of potential jumps.

Working method

Presencial

Program

1 - Electrochemical potential

2 - Electrochemical cells in equilibrium

3 - Debye-Hückel theory

4 - Conductivity of electrolyte solutions

5 - The electrical double layer

6 - Electric properties of interfaces

7- Pulse techniques and applications

8 - Electrodeposition

9 - Introduction to electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

10 - Applications of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

Mandatory literature

H. H. Girault; Analytical and Physical Electrochemistry, H. H. Girault, EPFL Press, Lausanne, 2004
Bard Allen J.; Electrochemical methods. ISBN: 978-0-471-04372-0
W. Ronald Fawcett; Liquids, Solutions, and Interfaces, Oxford University Press, 2004

Complementary Bibliography

Wolfgang Schmickler, Elizabeth Santos; Interfacial Electrochemistry, Second Edition, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2010

Teaching methods and learning activities

Teaching methods are theoretical classes, practical classes and laboratory classes.

Theoretical classes consist of a detailed exposition of the program content, illustrated by case studies. Some topics will be discussed in the form of seminars prepared by students. Audiovisual resources are used to support the presentations.

The practical classes are dedicated to solving exercises, developing the concepts covered in the theoretical classes and answering questions.

In laboratory classes, students carry out experimental work illustrating the themes developed in the theoretical classes, the results and main conclusions of which are presented in written reports and oral presentations.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Teste	60,00
Trabalho laboratorial	40,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	60,00
Frequência das aulas	15,00
Trabalho laboratorial	6,00
Total:	81,00

Eligibility for exams

In this course it is mandatory to comply with the attendance in classes.

The students must attend a minimum of 75% of the total number of classes and to obtain a positive mark in laboratory work to be admitted for evaluation.

Calculation formula of final grade

The final grade (FG) is:

FG = 0.40 NP + 0.60 NT

where

NP - average of the marks obtained on the laboratory experiments (practical performance + reports)

NT - average of the marks obtained on the tests

The tests can be replaced by a final exam and in this case the final grade is:

FG = 0.40 NP + 0.60 NEx

where

NEx - grade obtained on the final exam

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

The special assessment will be a written exam.

Classification improvement

Written exam.