Course

Unit 1 Background TheoryOrigin of potential – electrical double layer – reversible electrode potential – standard hydrogen electrode – emf series – measurement of potential – reference electrodes (calomel and silver/silver chloride) indicator and ion selective electrodes – Nernst equation – irreversible processes – kinetic treatment – Butler-Volmer equation – overpotential, activation, concentration and IR overpotential – its practical significance – Tafel equation and Tafel plots – exchange current density and transfer coefficients.Unit 2 Batteries: Primary BatteriesThe chemistry, fabrication and performance aspects, packing classification and rating of the following batteries: (The materials taken, their function and significance, reactions with equations, their performance in terms of discharge, capacity, and energy density to be dealt with). Zinc-carbon (Leclanche type), zinc alkaline (Duracell), zinc/air batteries; Lithium primary cells – liquid cathode, solid cathode and lithium- ferrous sulphide cells (comparative account).Unit 3 Secondary BatteriesLead acid and VRLA (valve regulated (sealed) lead acid), nickel-cadmium, nickel-zinc, nickel-metal hydride batteries, lithium-ion batteries, ultrathin lithium polymer cells (comparative account). Advanced batteries for electric vehicles, requirements of the battery – sodium-beta and redox batteries.Unit 4 Fuel CellsDescription, working, principle, anodic, cathodic and cell reactions, fabrication of electrodes and other components, applications, advantages, disadvantages and environmental aspects of the following types of fuel cells: proton exchange membrane fuel cells, alkaline fuel cells, phosphoric acid, solid oxide, molten carbonate, direct methanol fuel cells. Membranes for fuel cells: Nafion Polymer blends and composite membranes; assessment of performance recent developments.Unit 5 Fuels for Fuel CellsHydrogen, methane, methanol – sources and preparation, reformation processes for hydrogen clean up and storage of the fuels use in cells, advantages and disadvantages of using hydrogen as fuel.

CO1: Get the knowledge about fundamentals of electrochemistry which involves origin of potential, calculation of EMF of cell, Nernst equation etc.CO2: Awareness on types, working, applied areas, advantages as well as disadvantages of primary and secondary batteries.CO3: Awareness on types and working of fuel cells.CO4: Understanding how to establish a relationship with industries by excercising applied science

TEXTBOOKS1.Dell, Ronald M Rand, David AJ, Understanding Batteries, Royal Society of Chemistry, (2001).2.M. Aulice Scibioh and B. Viswanathan Fuel Cells principles and applications, University Press, India (2006).REFERENCES1.Kanani N, Electroplating and electroless plating of copper and its alloy, ASM International, Metals Park, OH and Metal Finishing Publications, Stevenage, UK (2003).2.Curtis, Electroforming’, London, (2004).3.F. Barbir, PEM fuel cells: theory and practice, Elsevier, Burlington, MA, (2005).4.G. Hoogers, Fuel cell handbook, CRC, Boca Raton, FL, (2003).