Early History of Electrochemistry

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

The Physical Sciences Initiative Early history of electrochemistry In 1786 in Italy, Luigi Galvani noticed that a dissected frog’s leg twitched as it lay on a table near an electrostatic generator. To investigate this further, he hung a frog leg from an iron railing by a brass hook and waited for a thunderstorm. When the thunderstorm occurred, he noted that the lower part of the leg contracted. He later noted that in the absence of a thunderstorm the lower part of the leg also contracted when it came in contact with another part of the railing. Being an anatomist/physiologist, he decided that the electricity was due to the muscle – he described what was happening as “animal electricity”. Alessandro Volta was also working in Italy at this time, and in 1794 he stated that the frog leg twitched not because of “animal electricity”, but because of the difference in potential between two dissimilar metals connected by the animal tissue. He found by experiment that electricity flowed when two different metals were used in the absence of living tissue. By 1800 he had proved his theory by inventing the first practical battery – the Voltaic pile. Volta’s battery used cells composed of two different metals, e.g. silver and zinc. The metals were separated by moistened disks of cardboard and connected in series. These batteries were the first source of a useful electric current. Humphry Davy in London in the early 1800s improved the design of the Voltaic pile, and developed much more powerful batteries. In the years 1807-1808 he discovered the elements K, Na, Sr, Ba, Ca and Mg using electrochemical methods, and pointed the way to the discovery of many other elements. The Physical Sciences Initiative The Physical Sciences Initiative Michael Faraday attended a lecture of Davy’s in London in 1813, and shortly afterwards secured employment in the Royal Institution, where he washed bottles for Davy. His scientific development was rapid thereafter, and by 1826 he had replaced Davy as Director of the Royal Institution. During the years 1833-1836 he discovered the laws of electrolysis, including the proportionality between the mass of product deposited during electrolysis and the current passed. The Physical Sciences Initiative .

Copy Link

Recommended publications

How Do We Learn Electrochemistry? by Jeffrey W
redcat_ad_IF_Sp2012_1.pdf 1 4/11/2012 1:36:17 PM research • news • events • resources | search • explore • connect • share • discover How Do We Learn Electrochemistry? by Jeffrey W. Fergus he importance of electrochemistry is undeniable—we on education. The fall 2006 issue was devoted to education literally cannot live without electrochemistry for proper and included articles discussing general needs for education in Tcell function and transmission of signals through the electrochemistry as well as some examples of approaches, and nervous system. Electrochemistry is also vital in a wide range even specific laboratory activities, to enhance electrochemical of important technological applications. For example, batteries education. More recently, in the summer 2010 issue, the ECS are important not only in storing energy for mobile devices Industrial Electrochemistry and Electrochemical Engineering and vehicles, but also for load leveling to enable the use of Division provided an additional evaluation of needs and some renewable energy conversion technologies. Electrochemistry activities for introducing electrochemistry into courses. The is involved in the production of materials by electrorefining current issue complements those earlier issues and provides or electrodeposition as well as the destruction of materials by insights on the status and needs in electrochemical education. TM corrosion. In spite of its ubiquity there are very few formal The first article provides a general backdrop on the state educational degree programs in electrochemistry. of higher education. Marye Ann Fox discusses the financial If electrochemistry is ubiquitous, but formal educational challenges being faced by academic institutions and how these programs are rare, how do the scientists and engineers working on challenges have an impact on the design and implementation of electrochemical products and processes learn the electrochemistry educational programs.
[Show full text]
Electrochemical Real-Time Mass Spectrometry: a Novel Tool for Time-Resolved Characterization of the Products of Electrochemical Reactions
Electrochemical real-time mass spectrometry: A novel tool for time-resolved characterization of the products of electrochemical reactions Elektrochemische Realzeit-Massenspektrometrie: Eine neuartige Methode zur zeitaufgelösten Charakterisierung der Produkte elektrochemischer Reaktionen Der Technischen Fakultät der Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg zur Erlangung des Doktorgrades Dr.-Ingenieur vorgelegt von Peyman Khanipour Mehrin aus Shiraz, Iran Als Dissertation genehmigt von der Technischen Fakultät der Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg Tag der mündlichen Prüfung: 17.11.2020 Vorsitzender des Promotionsorgans: Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Andreas Paul Fröba Gutachter: Prof. Dr. Karl J.J. Mayrhofer Prof. Dr. Frank-Michael Matysik I Acknowledgements This study is done in the electrosynthesis team of the electrocatalysis unit at Helmholtz- Institut Erlangen-Nürnberg (HI ERN) with the financial support of Forschungszentrum Jülich. I would like to express my deep gratitude to Prof. Dr. Karl J. J. Mayrhofer for accepting me as a Ph.D. student and also for all his encouragement, supports, and freedoms during my study. I’m grateful to Prof. Dr. Frank-Michael Matysik for kindly accepting to act as a second reviewer and also for the time he has invested in reading this thesis. This piece of work is enabled by collaboration with scientists from different expertise. I would like to express my appreciation to Dr. Sandra Haschke from FAU for providing shape-controlled high surface area platinum electrodes which I used for performing oxidation of primary alcohols and also the characterization of the provided material SEM, EDX, and XRD. Mr. Mario Löffler from HI ERN for obtaining the XPS data and his remarkable knowledge with the interpretation of the spectra on copper-based electrodes for the CO 2 electroreduction reaction.
[Show full text]
Gas-Phase Electrochemistry: Measuring Absolute Potentials and Investigating Ion and Electron Hydration*
Pure Appl. Chem., Vol. 83, No. 12, pp. 2129–2151, 2011. doi:10.1351/PAC-CON-11-08-15 © 2011 IUPAC, Publication date (Web): 7 October 2011 Gas-phase electrochemistry: Measuring absolute potentials and investigating ion and electron hydration* William A. Donald1,‡ and Evan R. Williams2 1School of Chemistry, Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, and ARC Centre of Excellence for Free Radical Chemistry and Biotechnology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; 2Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA Abstract: In solution, half-cell potentials and ion solvation energies (or enthalpies) are meas- ured relative to other values, thus establishing ladders of thermochemical values that are ref- erenced to the potential of the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) and the proton hydration energy (or enthalpy), respectively, which are both arbitrarily assigned a value of 0. In this focused review article, we describe three routes for obtaining absolute solution-phase half- cell potentials using ion nanocalorimetry, in which the energy resulting from electron capture (EC) by large hydrated ions in the gas phase are obtained from the number of water mole- cules lost from the reduced precursor cluster, which was developed by the Williams group at the University of California, Berkeley. Recent ion nanocalorimetry methods for investigating ion and electron hydration and for obtaining the absolute hydration enthalpy of the electron are discussed. From these methods, an absolute electrochemical scale and ion solvation scale can be established from experimental measurements without any models. Keywords: absolute potentials; clusters; electrochemistry; electron capture dissociation; elec- tron transfer; gaseous state; hydrated ions; hydration; ion nanocalorimetry; solvation; thermo chemistry.
[Show full text]
Chemistry in Italy During Late 18Th and 19Th Centuries
CHEMISTRY IN ITALY DURING LATE 18TH AND 19TH CENTURIES Ignazio Renato Bellobono, CSci, CChem, FRSC LASA, Department of Physics, University of Milan. e-mail add ress : i.bell obon o@ti scali.it LASA, Dept.Dept. ofPhysics, Physics, University of Milan The birth of Electrochemistry Luigi Galvani, Alessandro Volta, and Luigi Valentino Brugnatelli From Chemistry to Radiochemistry The birth of Chemistry and Periodic Table Amedeo Avogadro and Stanislao Cannizzaro Contributions to Organic Chemistry LASA, Dept.Dept. ofPhysics, Physics, University of Milan 1737 At the Faculty of Medicine of the Bologna University, the first chair of Chemistry is establishedestablished,,andandassigned to Jacopo Bartolomeo BECCARI (1692-1766). He studied phosphorescence and the action of light on silver halides 1776 In some marshes of the Lago Maggiore, near AngeraAngera,, Alessandro VOLTA ((17451745--18271827),),hi gh school teacher of physics in Como, individuates a flammable gas, which he calls aria infiammabile. Methane is thus discovereddiscovered.. Two years laterlater,,heheis assignedassigned,,asas professor of experimental phihysicscs,,toto the UiUniversi ty of PiPavia LASA, DtDept. of PhPhys icscs,, University of Milan 1778 In aletter a letter to Horace Bénédict de Saussure, aaSwissSwiss naturalist, VOLTA introduces, beneath that of electrical capacitycapacity,, the fundamental concept of tensione elettrica (electrical tension), exactly the name that CITCE recommended for the difference of potential in an electrochemical cell. 17901790--17911791 VOLTA anticipatesanticipates,,bybyabout 10 yearsyears,,thethe GAYGAY--LUSSACLUSSAC linear de ppyendency of gas volume on tem pp,erature, at constant pressurepressure,,andandafew a fewyears later ((17951795)) anticipatesanticipates,,byby about 6years 6 years,,thethe soso--calledcalled John Dalton’s rules ((18011801))ononvapour pressure LASA, Dept.Dept.
[Show full text]
Electrochemistry Cell Model
Electrochemistry Cell Model Dennis Dees and Kevin Gallagher Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division May 9-13, 2011 Vehicle Technologies Program Annual Merit Review and Peer Evaluation Meeting Washington, D.C. Project ID: ES031 This presentation does not contain any proprietary, confidential, or otherwise restricted information. Overview Timeline Barriers . Start: October 2008 . Development of a safe cost-effective PHEV . Finish: September 2014 battery with a 40 mile all electric range . ~43% Complete that meets or exceeds all performance goals – Interpreting complex cell electrochemical phenomena – Identification of cell degradation mechanisms Budget Partners (Collaborators) . Total project funding . Daniel Abraham, Argonne – 100% DOE . Sun-Ho Kang, Argonne . FY2010: $400K . Andrew Jansen, Argonne . FY2011: $400K . Wenquan Lu, Argonne . Kevin Gering, INL Vehicle Technologies Program 2 Objectives, Milestones, and Approach . The objective of this work is to correlate analytical diagnostic results with the electrochemical performance of advanced lithium-ion battery technologies for PHEV applications – Link experimental efforts through electrochemical modeling studies – Identify performance limitations and aging mechanisms . Milestones for this year: – Initiate development of AC impedance two phase model (completed) – Integrate SEI growth model into full cell model (completed) . Approach for electrochemical modeling activities is to build on earlier successful characterization and modeling studies in extending efforts to new PHEV technologies
[Show full text]
Physical and Analytical Electrochemistry: the Fundamental
Electrochemical Systems The simplest and traditional electrochemical process occurring at the boundary between an electronically conducting phase (the electrode) and an ionically conducting phase (the electrolyte solution), is the heterogeneous electro-transfer step between the electrode and the electroactive species of interest present in the solution. An example is the plating of nickel. Ni2+ + 2e- → Ni Physical and Analytical The interface is where the action occurs but connected to that central event are various processes that can Electrochemistry: occur in parallel or series. Figure 2 demonstrates a more complex interface; it represents a molecular scale snapshot The Fundamental Core of an interface that exists in a fuel cell with a solid polymer (capable of conducting H+) as an electrolyte. of Electrochemistry However, there is more to an electrochemical system than a single by Tom Zawodzinski, Shelley Minteer, interface. An entire circuit must be made and Gessie Brisard for measurable current to flow. This circuit consists of the electrochemical cell plus external wiring and circuitry The common event for all electrochemical processes is that (power sources, measuring devices, of electron transfer between chemical species; or between an etc). The cell consists of (at least) electrode and a chemical species situated in the vicinity of the two electrodes separated by (at least) one electrolyte solution. Figure 3 is electrode, usually a pure metal or an alloy. The location where a schematic of a simple circuit. Each the electron transfer reactions take place is of fundamental electrode has an interface with a importance in electrochemistry because it regulates the solution. Electrons flow in the external behavior of most electrochemical systems.
[Show full text]
Concepts and Tools for Mechanism and Selectivity Analysis in Synthetic Organic Electrochemistry
Concepts and tools for mechanism and selectivity analysis in synthetic organic electrochemistry Cyrille Costentina,1,2 and Jean-Michel Savéanta,1 aUniversité Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Laboratoire d’Electrochimie Moléculaire, Unité Mixte de Recherche Université–CNRS 7591, 75205 Paris Cedex 13, France Contributed by Jean-Michel Savéant, April 2, 2019 (sent for review March 19, 2019; reviewed by Robert Francke and R. Daniel Little) As an accompaniment to the current renaissance of synthetic organic sufficient to record a current-potential response but small electrochemistry, the heterogeneous and space-dependent nature of enough to leave the substrates and cosubstrates (of the order of electrochemical reactions is analyzed in detail. The reactions that follow one part per million) almost untouched. Competition of the the initial electron transfer step and yield the products are intimately electrochemical/chemical events with diffusional transport under coupled with reactant transport. Depiction of the ensuing reactions precisely mastered conditions allows analysis of the kinetics profiles is the key to the mechanism and selectivity parameters. within extended time windows (from minutes to submicroseconds). Analysis is eased by the steady state resulting from coupling of However, for irreversible processes, these approaches are blind on diffusion with convection forced by solution stirring or circulation. reaction bifurcations occurring beyond the kinetically determining Homogeneous molecular catalysis of organic electrochemical reactions step, which are precisely those governing the selectivity of the re- of the redox or chemical type may be treated in the same manner. The same benchmarking procedures recently developed for the activation action. This is not the case of preparative-scale electrolysis accom- of small molecules in the context of modern energy challenges lead to panied by identification and quantitation of products.
[Show full text]
Four Channel Liquid Chromatography/Electrochemistry
Four Channel Liquid Chromatography/Electrochemistry Bruce Peary Solomon, Ph.D. The new epsilon family of electrochemical detectors from BAS can Hong Long, Ph.D. Yongxin Zhu, Ph.D. control up to four working electrodes simultaneously. There are several Chandrani Gunaratna, Ph.D. advantages to using multiple detector electrodes. By using four different Lou Coury, Ph.D.* applied potentials with electrodes placed in a parallel arrangement, a Bioanalytical Systems, Inc. hydrodynamic voltammogram can be generated quickly through Corporate R&D Laboratories 2701 Kent Avenue acquisition of four data points for every analyte injection. This speeds West Lafayette, IN method development time. In addition, co-eluting compounds in complex 47906-1382 mixtures can be resolved on the basis of their observed half-wave * corresponding author potentials by using the same arrangement of electrodes, also in parallel. This article presents a few examples of four-electrode experiments performed with epsilon detectors in the BAS R&D labs during the past few months, using both radial-flow and cross-flow thin-layer configurations. The epsilon Platform the past fifteen years, our contract These instruments are fully network- research division, BAS Analytics, able and will be upgradable over the BAS developed and introduced the has provided analytical data of the Internet. New techniques and fea- first commercial electrochemical de- highest quality to the world’s leading tures may initially be ordered àla tector for liquid chromatography pharmaceutical companies using carte, or added at any time when the over twenty-five years ago. With this state-of-the-art products from BAS, need arises. In the coming months, issue of Current Separations,BAS as well as other leading vendors.
[Show full text]
A Worldview in Practice: Cross-Disciplinary Propose for Textbooks and Course Materials
International Journal for Cross-Disciplinary Subjects in Education (IJCDSE), Volume 10, Issue 1, March 2019 A Worldview in Practice: Cross-Disciplinary Propose for Textbooks and Course Materials Noemih Sá Oliveira, Susan Bruna Carneiro Aragão Sistema Mackenzie de Ensino – Mackenzie Presbyterian Institute Brazil Abstract This paper presents a case study about the founded, in São Paulo, the American School. The development of a cross-disciplinary propose for pre- foundation of the new school represented a turning primary, primary and secondary private school point in Brazil. The school introduced a series of textbooks and course materials based on a Judeo- pioneering and innovative pedagogical and social Christian educational worldview. A private Brazilian practices. Among them, the end of racial system of education, Sistema Mackenzie de Ensino discrimination in admissions (legally authorized by (SME), located in São Paulo-Brazil, developed this the government until then), the creation of mixed proposal. SME is reasoned in a worldview, which gender classes and the abolition of physical considers ontology precedes epistemology to try to punishments [1]. Throughout its existence, it has reach a more integrated perception, comprehension, implemented courses with the objective of covering and reflection of the study object. A cross- new areas of knowledge and accompanying the disciplinary team of teachers gathered to elaborate a evolution of society with intense participation in the critical basis for producing and reviewing the community. Mackenzie Presbyterian Institute (MPU) textbooks and course materials. This rational basis has become recognized by tradition, pioneering and considered the guidelines of the National Brazilian innovation in education, which enabled it to reach Curriculum Parameters and academic researches.
[Show full text]
Electrochemistry and Photoredox Catalysis: a Comparative Evaluation in Organic Synthesis
molecules Review Electrochemistry and Photoredox Catalysis: A Comparative Evaluation in Organic Synthesis Rik H. Verschueren and Wim M. De Borggraeve * Department of Chemistry, Molecular Design and Synthesis, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, box 2404, 3001 Leuven, Belgium; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +32-16-32-7693 Received: 30 March 2019; Accepted: 23 May 2019; Published: 5 June 2019 Abstract: This review provides an overview of synthetic transformations that have been performed by both electro- and photoredox catalysis. Both toolboxes are evaluated and compared in their ability to enable said transformations. Analogies and distinctions are formulated to obtain a better understanding in both research areas. This knowledge can be used to conceptualize new methodological strategies for either of both approaches starting from the other. It was attempted to extract key components that can be used as guidelines to refine, complement and innovate these two disciplines of organic synthesis. Keywords: electrosynthesis; electrocatalysis; photocatalysis; photochemistry; electron transfer; redox catalysis; radical chemistry; organic synthesis; green chemistry 1. Introduction Both electrochemistry as well as photoredox catalysis have gone through a recent renaissance, bringing forth a whole range of both improved and new transformations previously thought impossible. In their growth, inspiration was found in older established radical chemistry, as well as from cross-pollination between the two toolboxes. In scientific discussion, photoredox catalysis and electrochemistry are often mentioned alongside each other. Nonetheless, no review has attempted a comparative evaluation of both fields in organic synthesis. Both research areas use electrons as reagents to generate open-shell radical intermediates. Because of the similar modes of action, many transformations have been translated from electrochemical to photoredox methodology and vice versa.
[Show full text]
The Metallic World
UNIT 11 The Metallic World Unit Overview This unit provides an overview of both electrochemistry and basic transition metal chemistry. Oxidation-reduction reactions, also known as redox reactions, drive electrochemistry. In redox reactions, one compound gains electrons (reduction) while another one loses electrons (oxidation). The spontaneous directions of redox reactions can generate electrical current. The relative reactivities of substances toward oxidation or reduction can promote or prevent processes from happening. In addition, redox reactions can be forced to run in their non-spontaneous direction in order to purify a sample, re-set a system, such as in a rechargeable battery, or deposit a coating of another substance on a surface. The unit also explores transition metal chemistry, both in comparison to principles of main-group chemistry (e.g., the octet rule) and through various examples of inorganic and bioinorganic compounds. Learning Objectives and Applicable Standards Participants will be able to: 1. Describe the difference between spontaneous and nonspontaneous redox processes in terms of both cell EMF (electromotive force) and DG. 2. Recognize everyday applications of spontaneous redox processes as well as applications that depend on the forcing of a process to run in the non-spontaneous direction. 3. Understand the basics of physiological redox processes, and recognize some of the en- zymes that facilitate electron transfer. 4. Compare basic transition-metal chemistry to main-group chemistry in terms of how ions are formed and the different types of bonding in metal complexes. Key Concepts and People 1. Redox Reactions: Redox reactions can be analyzed systematically for how many electrons are transferred, whether or not the reaction happens spontaneously, and how much energy can be transferred or is required in the process.
[Show full text]
Mayo Foundation House Window Illustrates the Eras of Medicine
FEATURE HISTORY IN STAINED GLASS Mayo Foundation House window illustrates the eras of medicine BY MICHAEL CAMILLERI, MD, AND CYNTHIA STANISLAV, BS 12 | MINNESOTA MEDICINE | MARCH/APRIL 2020 FEATURE Mayo Foundation House window illustrates the eras of medicine BY MICHAEL CAMILLERI, MD, AND CYNTHIA STANISLAV, BS Doctors and investigators at Mayo Clinic have traditionally embraced the study of the history of medicine, a history that is chronicled in the stained glass window at Mayo Foundation House. Soon after the donation of the Mayo family home in Rochester, Minnesota, to the Mayo Foundation in 1938, a committee that included Philip Showalter Hench, MD, (who became a Nobel Prize winner in 1950); C.F. Code, MD; and Henry Frederic Helmholz, Jr., MD, sub- mitted recommendations for a stained glass window dedicated to the history of medicine. The window, installed in 1943, is vertically organized to represent three “shields” from left to right—education, practice and research—over four epochs, starting from the bot- tom with the earliest (pre-1500) and ending with the most recent (post-1900) periods. These eras represent ancient and medieval medicine, the movement from theories to experimentation, organized advancement in science and, finally, the era of preventive medicine. The luminaries, their contributions to science and medicine and the famous quotes or aphorisms included in the panels of the stained glass window are summa- rized. Among the famous personalities shown are Hippocrates of Kos, Galen, Andreas Vesalius, Ambroise Paré, William Harvey, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, Giovanni Battista Morgagni, William Withering, Edward Jenner, René Laennec, Claude Bernard, Florence Nightingale, Louis Pasteur, Joseph Lister, Theodor Billroth, Robert Koch, William Osler, Willem Einthoven and Paul Ehrlich.
[Show full text]