Electrochemistry - Standard Hydrogen Electrode

  • The standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) is a reference electrode that provides a baseline to measure standard electrode potentials.
  • It is constructed with a platinum electrode immersed in an acidic solution with 1M hydrogen ions (H+).
  • The electrode potential of the SHE is defined as zero volts.
  • It is often used as a reference for other half-cell electrode potentials.
  • The reduction potential of any half-cell can be determined by measuring the potential difference between it and the SHE.
  • The SHE is denoted as:
    • Pt(s) | H2(g) (1 atm) | H+(aq) (1M)
  • Standard electrode potential (E°) of the SHE is considered to be zero volts by convention.

Electrochemistry - Nernst Equation

  • The Nernst equation is used to calculate the electrode potential of a half-cell under non-standard conditions.
  • It relates the electrode potential (E) of a half-cell to the concentration (c) of the oxidized or reduced species.
  • The Nernst equation is given as:
    • E = E° - (RT/nF) ln(c)
      • E: Electrode potential under non-standard conditions (V)
      • E°: Standard electrode potential (V)
      • R: Gas constant (8.314 J/(mol·K))
      • T: Temperature (K)
      • n: Number of moles of electrons transferred in the balanced reduction/oxidation equation
      • F: Faraday’s constant (96,485 C/mol)

Electrochemistry - Cell Potential

  • The cell potential (Ecell) represents the total potential difference between the two electrodes of a galvanic cell.
  • It is also known as the electromotive force (EMF) of the cell.
  • The cell potential is determined by the difference in electrode potentials of the two half-cells.
  • It can be calculated using the following equation:
    • Ecell = Ered(cathode) - Ered(anode)
      • Ecell: Cell potential (V)
      • Ered(cathode): Reduction potential of the cathode (V)
      • Ered(anode): Reduction potential of the anode (V)

Electrochemistry - Cell Notation

  • Cell notation is a shorthand representation of the components and reactions occurring in an electrochemical cell.
  • It consists of anode, cathode, and salt bridge separated by vertical lines.
  • The anode is written on the left side, and the cathode is written on the right side.
  • Double vertical lines represent the salt bridge.
  • Anode and cathode reactions are denoted with arrows pointing towards the right.
  • For example:
    • Zn(s) | Zn2+(aq) || Cu2+(aq) | Cu(s)

Electrochemistry - Standard Reduction Potentials

  • Standard reduction potentials (E°) are a measure of the tendency of species to get reduced.
  • They indicate how easily a species is reduced compared to the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE).
  • Standard reduction potentials are measured under standard conditions of 1M concentration, 1 atm pressure, and 298K temperature.
  • Lower E° values indicate a higher tendency to get reduced, while higher E° values indicate a lower tendency.
  • The more positive the E° value, the stronger the oxidizing agent it represents.

Electrochemistry - Relationship between Cell Potential and Gibbs Free Energy

  • The relationship between cell potential (Ecell) and Gibbs free energy (ΔG) is given by the equation:
    • ΔG = -nFEcell
      • ΔG: Gibbs free energy change (J)
      • n: Number of moles of electrons transferred
      • F: Faraday’s constant (96,485 C/mol)
      • Ecell: Cell potential (V)
  • The negative sign indicates that a spontaneous reaction will have a negative value of ΔG and a positive value of Ecell.

Electrochemistry - Relationship between Cell Potential and Equilibrium Constant

  • The cell potential of a galvanic cell can also be related to the equilibrium constant (K) of the overall reaction.
  • The relationship is given by the equation:
    • Ecell = (RT/nF) ln(K)
  • This equation is derived from the Nernst equation and can be used to determine the equilibrium constant if the cell potential is known, or vice versa.
  • The natural logarithm of the equilibrium constant allows the conversion between the thermodynamic and electrochemical properties.

Electrochemistry - Batteries

  • Batteries are portable sources of electrical energy that utilize electrochemical reactions.
  • They consist of one or more cells connected in series or parallel to increase voltage or current.
  • The most common types of batteries are:
    • Primary batteries: Designed for one-time use, cannot be recharged (e.g., alkaline batteries)
    • Secondary batteries: Rechargeable batteries, can be reused multiple times (e.g., lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries)
  • Battery efficiency and capacity depend on the chemical reactions occurring at the electrodes.

Electrochemistry - Corrosion

  • Corrosion is the gradual destruction or degradation of a material by chemical reaction with its environment.
  • It often occurs due to electrochemical reactions involving the material.
  • The most common form of corrosion is the rusting of iron in the presence of moisture and oxygen.
  • Corrosion can be prevented or minimized by using protective coatings, corrosion inhibitors, or cathodic protection techniques.

Electrochemistry - Standard Hydrogen Electrode

  • The standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) is a reference electrode.
  • It consists of a platinum electrode immersed in an acidic solution.
  • The electrode potential of the SHE is defined as zero volts.
  • It is used as a reference to measure standard electrode potentials.
  • The SHE is denoted as: Pt(s) | H2(g) (1 atm) | H+(aq) (1M).

Electrochemistry - Nernst Equation

  • The Nernst equation calculates the electrode potential of a half-cell.
  • It relates the potential to the concentration of species.
  • The Nernst equation: E = E° - (RT/nF) ln(c).
  • E: Electrode potential under non-standard conditions (V).
  • E°: Standard electrode potential (V).

Electrochemistry - Cell Potential

  • Cell potential (Ecell) represents the total potential difference in a galvanic cell.
  • It is the difference in electrode potentials of the two half-cells.
  • Cell potential can be calculated using the equation: Ecell = Ered(cathode) - Ered(anode).
  • Ecell: Cell potential (V).

Electrochemistry - Cell Notation

  • Cell notation is a shorthand representation of electrochemical cells.
  • It includes anode, cathode, and salt bridge.
  • Anode is written on the left, cathode on the right.
  • Double vertical lines represent the salt bridge.

Electrochemistry - Standard Reduction Potentials

  • Standard reduction potentials (E°) measure the tendency to get reduced.
  • They compare the species to the standard hydrogen electrode.
  • E° values are measured under standard conditions.
  • Lower E° values indicate a higher tendency to get reduced.
  • Higher E° values indicate a lower tendency.

Electrochemistry - Standard Hydrogen Electrode

  • The standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) is a reference electrode that provides a baseline to measure standard electrode potentials.
  • It is constructed with a platinum electrode immersed in an acidic solution with 1M hydrogen ions (H+).
  • The electrode potential of the SHE is defined as zero volts.
  • It is often used as a reference for other half-cell electrode potentials.
  • The reduction potential of any half-cell can be determined by measuring the potential difference between it and the SHE.

Electrochemistry - Nernst Equation

  • The Nernst equation is used to calculate the electrode potential of a half-cell under non-standard conditions.
  • It relates the electrode potential (E) of a half-cell to the concentration (c) of the oxidized or reduced species.
  • The Nernst equation is given as:
    • E = E° - (RT/nF) ln(c)
      • E: Electrode potential under non-standard conditions (V)
      • E°: Standard electrode potential (V)
      • R: Gas constant (8.314 J/(mol·K))
      • T: Temperature (K)
      • n: Number of moles of electrons transferred in the balanced reduction/oxidation equation
      • F: Faraday’s constant (96,485 C/mol)

Electrochemistry - Cell Potential

  • The cell potential (Ecell) represents the total potential difference between the two electrodes of a galvanic cell.
  • It is also known as the electromotive force (EMF) of the cell.
  • The cell potential is determined by the difference in electrode potentials of the two half-cells.
  • It can be calculated using the following equation:
    • Ecell = Ered(cathode) - Ered(anode)
      • Ecell: Cell potential (V)
      • Ered(cathode): Reduction potential of the cathode (V)
      • Ered(anode): Reduction potential of the anode (V)

Electrochemistry - Cell Notation

  • Cell notation is a shorthand representation of the components and reactions occurring in an electrochemical cell.
  • It consists of anode, cathode, and salt bridge separated by vertical lines.
  • The anode is written on the left side, and the cathode is written on the right side.
  • Double vertical lines represent the salt bridge.
  • Anode and cathode reactions are denoted with arrows pointing towards the right.
  • For example:
    • Zn(s) | Zn2+(aq) || Cu2+(aq) | Cu(s)

Electrochemistry - Standard Reduction Potentials

  • Standard reduction potentials (E°) are a measure of the tendency of species to get reduced.
  • They indicate how easily a species is reduced compared to the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE).
  • Standard reduction potentials are measured under standard conditions of 1M concentration, 1 atm pressure, and 298K temperature.
  • Lower E° values indicate a higher tendency to get reduced, while higher E° values indicate a lower tendency.
  • The more positive the E° value, the stronger the oxidizing agent it represents.

Electrochemistry - Relationship between Cell Potential and Gibbs Free Energy

  • The relationship between cell potential (Ecell) and Gibbs free energy (ΔG) is given by the equation:
    • ΔG = -nFEcell
      • ΔG: Gibbs free energy change (J)
      • n: Number of moles of electrons transferred
      • F: Faraday’s constant (96,485 C/mol)
      • Ecell: Cell potential (V)
  • The negative sign indicates that a spontaneous reaction will have a negative value of ΔG and a positive value of Ecell.

Electrochemistry - Relationship between Cell Potential and Equilibrium Constant

  • The cell potential of a galvanic cell can also be related to the equilibrium constant (K) of the overall reaction.
  • The relationship is given by the equation:
    • Ecell = (RT/nF) ln(K)
  • This equation is derived from the Nernst equation and can be used to determine the equilibrium constant if the cell potential is known, or vice versa.
  • The natural logarithm of the equilibrium constant allows the conversion between the thermodynamic and electrochemical properties.

Electrochemistry - Batteries

  • Batteries are portable sources of electrical energy that utilize electrochemical reactions.
  • They consist of one or more cells connected in series or parallel to increase voltage or current.
  • The most common types of batteries are:
    • Primary batteries: Designed for one-time use, cannot be recharged (e.g., alkaline batteries)
    • Secondary batteries: Rechargeable batteries, can be reused multiple times (e.g., lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries)
  • Battery efficiency and capacity depend on the chemical reactions occurring at the electrodes.

Electrochemistry - Corrosion

  • Corrosion is the gradual destruction or degradation of a material by chemical reaction with its environment.
  • It often occurs due to electrochemical reactions involving the material.
  • The most common form of corrosion is the rusting of iron in the presence of moisture and oxygen.
  • Corrosion can be prevented or minimized by using protective coatings, corrosion inhibitors, or cathodic protection techniques.