Guide in PDF format
Logo

Electrochemistry and Corrosion

Code: 102499
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Chemistry OP 4

Contact lecturer

Name :
Gonzalo Guirado Lopez
Email :
gonzalo.guirado@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Silvia Mena Fernández

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

It is recommended to have studied and approved the courses that make up the matter of Physical Chemistry (Quantum Chemistry, Chemical Thermodynamics and Kinetics and Surface, Transport Fenomena) and the course of the correspondant laboratory  (in the matter of Methodology and Chemical Experimentation)

Objectives

Provide the necessary knowledge to recognize Electrochemistry as a useful tool in both basic and applied research, with special emphasis on the essential processes of Applied Electrochemistry: Electrosynthesis, Batteries, Electrodialysis and Corrosion Protection.

Learning outcomes

  1. Communicate orally and in writing in one's own language.
  2. Manage the organisation and planning of tasks.
  3. Resolve problems and make decisions.
  4. Obtain information, including by digital means.
  5. Manage, analyse and synthesise information.
  6. Use IT to treat and present information.
  7. Have numerical calculation skills.
  8. Work in a team and show concern for interpersonal relations at work.
  9. Reason in a critical manner
  10. Be ethically committed.
  11. Learn autonomously.
  12. Adapt to new situations.
  13. Propose creative ideas and solutions.
  14. Lead and coordinate work groups.
  15. Show sensitivity for environmental issues.
  16. Distinguish the factors that govern a direct and indirect electrolytic process.
  17. Describe the most important electrolysis based synthetic processes in industry.
  18. Differentiate the different processes for electroplating metals.
  19. Differentiate the most important methods of electrochemical separation and the most relevant electrochemical processes in the treatment of waste.
  20. Apply the fundamental concepts of thermodynamics and kinetics to the use of batteries, and to the phenomenon of corrosion.
  21. Resolve numerical problems in relation to electro-synthetic processes and batteries.
  22. Resolve questions relative to the electroplating of metals, electrochemical separation processes and the electrochemical treatment of effluents.
  23. Analyse the aspects that control an electro-synthesis process and resolve specific problems in this field.
  24. Analyse problems with batteries and corrosion processes.
  25. Handle electrochemical instrumentation and specific instrumentation for analysing the corrosion of metals.
  26. Interpret experimental data obtained by electrochemical techniques, evaluate the meaning and relate it with the appropriate theories.
  27. Evaluate electrochemical effluent filtering methods and compare them with other methods.
  28. Evaluate electrochemical synthesis procedures in terms of their environmental impact and compare them with conventional synthetic methods.
  29. Use common English terminology for industrial chemistry, electrochemistry and corrosion, environmental chemistry, green chemistry, quality management, monitoring systems, and financial and business management.
  30. Summarise an article written in English in a reasonable time.

Contents

 1. Heterogeneous electron transfer reactions (ETs).


Oxidation-Reduction. Homogeneous ET vs heterogeneous ET.  Electrochemical systems: electrodes. Fundamental thermodynamic and kinetic aspects: Nernst and Butler-Volmer.


 


2. Molecular Electrochemistry.  Transport of matter and chemical reactions coupled to ET. Electrochemical methods.


Macro- and micro-electrolysis. Transport of material. Stationary and transient methods. Examples. Chemical reactions coupled to ET: types and treatment.


 


3. Supramolecular Electrochemistry. 


Electrochemical considerations in supramolecular systems. Electrochemical Switching. Electrochemical switchable recognition of cations and anions. Electroactive Langmuir-Blodget films and self-assembled monolayers. Molecular Machines.


 


4. The electrochemical cell and the reactor.


Cell and electrodes. Type. I-E curves. Factors that influence the rate of electrolysis. Electrochemical performance parameters. Reactors: type and design.


 


5. Electrochemistry and Sustainability (I).


Electrosynthesis of inorganic and organic compounds. The chlorine-alkali industry. Obtaining aluminum and alkali metals. Hydrodimerization of acrylonitrile. Indirect electrosynthesis.


 


6. Electrochemistry and Sustainability (II).


Treatment of effluents from industries. Recovery of metals by electroplating. Treatment of organic waste. Treatment of inorganic waste. Electro-flotation.


 


7. Industrial electrochemistry (I). Electrochemistry and metals.


Extraction and refining of metals. Metal finish: Silver plated and anodized. Metal processing: Electro-molding.


 


8. Industrial electrochemistry (II). Electrochemistry and membranes. Separation processes.


Electrodialysis. Ion-selective membranes. Bipolar membranes. Electro-osmosis and electrophoresis. Desalination.


 


9. – Green Energy Generation Technologies


Electrochemical generators. Type. Examples. Thermodynamics and kinetics of batteries and batteries. Power and other parameters of the batteries. Fuel cells. Examples. The hybrid car.


 


10. Corrosion.


Types of corrosion. Thermodynamics and kinetics of corrosion. Corrosion in everyday life. Corrosion control.


 


Laboratory


 


Electrochemical preparation of peroxodisulphate.


Kinetics of the attack to metals by acids.


Differential aeration


Cathodic protection by sacrificial anode.





 

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Laboratory practices 8 0.32 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 30
Tutorials 4 0.16 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9
Problem classes 8 0.32 7, 9, 10, 21, 22, 24
Theoretical classes 30 1.2 1, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 27, 28, 29
Problem solving 15 0.6 7, 9, 10, 21, 22, 24
Laboratory work Preparation and drafting of reports 13 0.52 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 25, 26, 30
Automous Study and Presentation on a scientific article 59 2.36 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

The acquisition of knowledge will be carried out through the use of theoretical classes, problem classes, laboratory practices and presentation of scientific articles

Theoretical classes (on the board with the help of audiovisual media) in which the basic concepts will be introduced to be able to understand the fundamental and applied aspects of Electrochemistry.

Problem classes (with more student participation) in which the methodology will be indicated to quantitatively solve numerical questions

Laboratory practices (which will be carried out according to economic availability) in which the knowledge acquired during the theoretical classes and of problems to the habitual electrochemical manipulation will be applied. The purpose is twofold, to affirm the fundamental concepts and acquire the necessary experimental skills in Electrochemistry.

 

 

 

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Written exams 60% 8 0.32 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30
Written Exercices 10% 3 0.12 3, 7, 9, 10, 21, 22, 24
Oral presentation on a scientific article 15% 0 0 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, 11, 15, 26, 29, 30
Laboratory work Preparation and drafting of reports 15% 2 0.08 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 25, 26, 30

Continuous Assessment

Written tests (60% of the grade). According to the academic calendar, two tests will be held. Each of these exams will have a weight of 30% of the final grade. If the average grade of these two exams is less than 5, a final exam must be taken at the end of the semester that will include the contents of the entire course, and whose grade will be equivalent to 60% of the total. In order to take the final exam, students must have participated in assessment activities throughout the course that are equivalent to 2/3 of the grade of the subject. Otherwise, the grade will be \"Not presented\".

Continuous work (10% of the grade): Evidence from the student will be collected throughout the course (problems solved, individually or in groups, short tests in class, etc.). These activities cannot be recovered unless the student provides a greater justification with the corresponding official documentation. This activity will have a weight of.

Oral presentation on a scientific article (15% of the grade): Each student or group of students will be assigned a scientific article related to the contents of the subject. Students must make an oral presentation on this article. Each student will be awarded a grade based on the presentation made and their answers to the questions asked. This grade will have a weight of 15% on the final grade of the subject. Carrying out group work (15% of the grade). The completion of this work is mandatory and cannot be recovered.

Laboratory practices (15% of the grade). Attendance at the laboratory sessions is mandatory, as well as the delivery of reports if the professor requires it. The lab grade will be graded between 0 and 10.

Single assessment

Single assessment: Students who have taken advantage of the single assessment modality must take a final test that will consist of the following activities:

  1. Written theory test: A single written exam will be held at the end of the academic year in which the theoretical continuums of the subject will be evaluated, which will have a weight of 70%. If the mark of these exams is less than 5, a final retake exam must be taken. In order to take the retake exam, students must have participated in the final single assessment test. Otherwise, the grade will be \"Not presented\".
  2. Laboratory practices (15% of the grade). Attendance at the laboratory sessions is mandatory, as well as the delivery of reports if the professor requires it. The lab grade will be graded between 0 and 10.
  3. Oral presentation on a scientific article or topic of the course: Students will make an oral presentation on an assigned scientific article or topic of the course. The presentation and the answer to the questions asked will be evaluated with a grade, which will have a weight of 15% of the final grade of the subject.

Regardless of the evaluation modality chosen, in order to pass the subject, students must have:

1) A mark of theoretical exams higher than 5.

2) An average grade of the subject higher than 5.

3) Have attended the practice sessions in the laboratory. Laboratory Safety Warning: Students who are involved in an incident that may have serious safety awareness may be expelled from the laboratory and fail the subject.


For this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is allowed exclusively for support tasks, such as literature searches, information retrieval, or translations. The student must clearly identify which parts have been generated using this technology, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how these have influenced both the process and the final outcome of the activity. Lack of transparency in the use of AI in this assessed activity will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in a partial or total penalty in the grade, or more serious sanctions in severe cases.


Any irregularity during an assessment activity (academic fraud, plagiarism, or improper use of AI, unless such use is explicitly authorized in the course guide) that may lead to a significant change in the grade will result in a score of 0 for that assessment. If the course guide establishes that obtaining a minimum mark in this assessment is a mandatory requirement to pass the course, or if multiple irregularities occur in the assessment activities of the same subject, the final grade for the course will be 0. In addition, disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against any student who commits any of these irregularities.

Bibliography

P. Atkins; J de Paula, \"Physical Chemistry\" 9Ed. Oxford, N.Y 2010

I.N. Levine, \"Principios de fisicoquímica\" 6Ed. McGrawHill, Mexico 2014

A.J.Bard y L.R.Faulkner, \"Electrochemical Methods: Fundamental and Aplications\". 2Ed. Wiley, N.Y. 2000

D.Brynn, \"Introduction to electrochemistry\"McMillan Press, London, 1993

P.M.S.Monk, \"Fundamentals of Electroanalytical Chemistry\" Wiley, N.Y., 2001

D.Pletcher, \"Industrial Electrochemistry\", 2Ed. Chapman and Hall, London 1999

K.Scott, \"Electrochemical processes for clean technology\" Royal Society of Chemistry, 1995

Software

Word, Excel, Power Point

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TE) Theory 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 1 Catalan first semester afternoon
(PLABs) Suport a les pràctiques de laboratori 1 Catalan first semester afternoon