C4030 Introduction to electrochemistry

Faculty of Science
Spring 2026
Extent and Intensity
2/1. 3 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
prof. RNDr. Jan Hrbáč, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. RNDr. Jan Hrbáč, Ph.D.
Department of Chemistry – Chemistry Section – Faculty of Science
Supplier department: Department of Chemistry – Chemistry Section – Faculty of Science
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Course objectives
The aim of the course Fundamentals of Electrochemistry is to provide students with basic theoretical knowledge and, through demonstrations, also practical understanding of electrochemical processes. The course introduces the principles of charge transfer between an electrode and a solution, the behavior of electrochemical systems, and the possibilities of their practical applications.
Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student shouldl:

  1. Understand the basic concepts and principles of electrochemistry, such as redox reactions, electrode potential, equilibrium processes, and the phenomena accompanying current flow through an electrochemical cell.

  2. Be able to explain the relationship between chemical and electrical energy and apply the Nernst equation to calculate electrode potentials.

  3. Gain an overview of the types of electrochemical cells and their operation — galvanic cells, batteries, electrolyzers, and fuel cells.

  4. Become familiar with the principles of electrolytic deposition, corrosion, and passivation of metals.

  5. Master basic electrochemical methods (potentiometry, conductometry, voltammetry).

  6. Understand the importance of electrochemistry in modern technologies, e.g., in energy production, surface treatments, sensors, or analytical methods.

Syllabus

1 – Introduction, redox reactions, and electrochemical equilibrium
The importance and scope of electrochemistry, basic terminology: electrode, electrolyte, ion, current, redox pair, oxidation and reduction processes, standard electrochemical potentials and the electrochemical series, electrochemical equilibrium and reaction spontaneity.

2 – Electrode potential and the Nernst equation
Electrode potentials, types of electrodes (reference, indicator, first, second, third kind, redox, etc.), derivation and use of the Nernst equation, activities, concentrations, and ionic strength.

3 – Electrochemical thermodynamics
Gibbs free energy and electromotive force (EMF), the relationship between chemical and electrical energy, thermodynamic description of electrochemical cells, temperature dependence of cell voltage.

4 – Galvanic cells and batteries
Construction and notation of galvanic cells, half-reactions and overall reactions, primary and secondary batteries, examples: Zn–Cu cell, lead–acid battery, Li-ion battery, efficiency, voltage limitations, degradation.

5 – Electrolysis
Principles of electrolysis, Faraday’s laws, transference numbers: ion mobility and concentration changes during current flow. Industrial electrolytic processes such as electrorefining and electroplating, water electrolysis and hydrogen production.

6 – Electric double layer and charge-transfer kinetics
Structure and models of the electric double layer, capacitive current, charge transfer at the electrode–electrolyte interface, Butler–Volmer equation (qualitative understanding).

7 – Mass transport to the electrode
Diffusion, migration, and convection, Fick’s laws, Nernst layer, rotating electrode.

8 – Electrochemical methods II: Conductometry
Electrical conductivity of electrolyte solutions, molar conductivity and limiting laws, conductometric titrations, sensor applications.

9 – Electrochemical methods I: Potentiometry
Principles of potentiometric measurement, pH and ion-selective electrodes, reference electrodes (Ag/AgCl, calomel electrode), calibration and common errors.

10 – Electrochemical methods III: Voltammetry and amperometry
Principles of voltammetric and amperometric techniques, polarography, cyclic voltammetry, stripping methods, interpretation of voltammograms.

11 – Electrolytic deposition, corrosion, and passivation
Principles of electrolytic deposition, nucleation and layer growth, corrosion mechanisms (uniform, galvanic, pitting), passivation and protection strategies.

12 – Electrochemistry in modern technologies
Fuel cells: PEM, alkaline, SOFC, electrochemical sensors and biosensors, energy storage systems, electrochemistry in surface processing, emerging fields: electrocatalysis, micro- and nanofabrication.

Literature
    recommended literature
  • GILEADI, Eliezer. Physical electrochemistry : fundamentals, techniques and applications. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH, 2011, xx, 373. ISBN 9783527319701. info
  • BARD, Allen J. and Larry R. FAULKNER. Electrochemical methods : fundamentals and applications. 2nd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2001, xxi, 833. ISBN 0471043729. info
  • COMPTON, R. G. and Giles H. W. SANDERS. Electrode potentials. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1996, 92 s. ISBN 0198556845. info
Teaching methods
lecture, seminar, demonstration
Assessment methods
End-of-course test and oral examination.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught every week.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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