'Electrochemical Energy Systems and Processes' is a course offered for the B. Tech. programs at the School of Engineering, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham.
Unit 1
Background Theory : Origin 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 - ButlerVolmer 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 batteries : The 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, zinc-silver oxide batteries; lithium primary cells - liquid cathode, solid cathode and polymer electrolyte types and lithium-ferrous sulphide cells (comparative account).
Secondary batteries : ARM (alkaline rechargeable manganese) cells, Lead acid and VRLA (valve regulated (sealed) lead acid), nickel-cadmium, nickel-zinc, nickelmetal hydride batteries, lithium ion batteries, ultra thin lithium polymer cells (comparative account). Advanced Batteries for electric vehicles, requirements of the battery - sodium-beta and redox batteries.
Unit 3
Reserve batteries and Fuel cells : Reserve batteries - water activated, electrolyte activated and thermally activated batteries - remote activation - pyrotechnic materials. Fuel Cells:Principle, chemistry and functioning - carbon, hydrogen-oxygen, proton exchange membrane (PEM), direct methanol (DMFC), molten carbonate electrolyte (MCFC) fuel cells and outline of biochemical fuel cells.
Electrochemical Processes : Principle, process description, operating conditions, process sequence and applications of Electroforming – production of waveguide and plated through hole (PTH) printed circuit boards by electrodeposition; Electroless plating of nickel, copper and gold; Electropolishing of metals; Anodizing of aluminium; Electrochemical machining of metals and alloys.
- Derek Pletcher and Frank C. Walsh, “Industrial Electrochemistry”, Blackie Academic and Professional, (1993).
- Dell, Ronald M Rand, David A J, “Understanding Batteries”, Royal Society of Chemistry, (2001)
- Christopher M A, Brett, “Electrochemistry – Principles, Methods and Applications”, Oxford University, (2004).
- Watanabe T, “Nano-plating: microstructure control theory of plated film and data base of plated film microstructure”, Elsevier, Oxford, UK (2004).
- Kanani N, “Electroplating and electroless plating of copper and its alloy”, ASM International, Metals Park, OH and Metal Finishing Publications, Stevenage, UK (2003).
- Lindon David, “Handbook of Batteries”, McGraw Hill, (2002).
- Curtis, “Electroforming”, London, (2004).
- Rumyantsev E and Davydov A, “Electrochemical machining of metals”, Mir, Moscow, (1989).
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