Lec:13

7th April,2015

APPLIED CHEMISTRY
CH-1012
Syed Hassan Shah
Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical
Engineering

TODAYS LECTURE
ELECTROCHEMISTRY (chapter 9 text
book)
Redox Reactions and Half reaction
IONICS
Faradays law
Current flow causes reaction to occur
Electrolysis and Electrodeposition
Electrochemical machining

INTRODUCTION
Review of Terms:
Oxidationreduction (redox) reaction involves a
transfer of electrons from the reducing agent to the
oxidizing agent
Oxidation loss of electrons
Reduction gain of electrons
Reducing agent electron donor
Oxidizing agent electron acceptor

Oxidation Numbers

In order to keep
track of what
loses electrons
and what gains
we
assign
Thethem,
oxidation
state,
often called the
oxidation
number, is an indicator of
oxidation
the degree of oxidation (loss of
numbers.
electrons)
of an atom in a
chemical compound.

Oxidation Numbers II
[Oxidation Number] is defined as the charge an atom might be imagined to have when
electrons are counted according to an agreed-upon set of rules:
1.the oxidation state of a free element (uncombined element) is zero
2.for a simple (monatomic) ion, the oxidation state is equal to the net charge on the ion
3.hydrogen has an oxidation state of +1 and oxygen has an oxidation state of 2 when
they are present in most compounds. Exceptions to this are that hydrogen has an
oxidation state of 1 in hydrides of active metals, e.g. LiH, and oxygen has an oxidation
state of 1 in peroxides, e.g. H2O2.
4.the algebraic sum of oxidation states of all atoms in a neutral molecule must be zero,
while in ions the algebraic sum of the oxidation states of the constituent atoms must be
equal to the charge on the ion.

REDOX REACTION
CHEMISTRY
A species is oxidized when it loses
electrons.
Here, zinc loses two electrons to go from
neutral zinc metal to the Zn2+ ion.

A species is reduced when it gains

electrons.

Here, each of the H+ gains an electron and

they combine to form H2.

HALF-REACTIONS
Although oxidation and reduction must take place
simultaneously, it is often convenient to consider them
as separate processes. For example, the oxidation of

In the overall redox reaction, the number of electrons lost

in the oxidation half-reaction must equal the number of
electrons gained in the reduction half-reaction.

Identify the Oxidizing and Reducing

Agents in Each of the Following
red ag ox ag

3 H2S + 2 NO3 + 2 H+ S + 2 NO
H2-2
O
1 -2 + 4+5
+1
0
+2 -2
+1 oxidation

ox ag

reduction

red ag

+4
2 H-2
4 -2MnO2+1
-1HBr MnBr
+2 -1 2 +0Br2 + +1
2O
oxidation
reduction
8

Common Oxidizing Agents

2
iO
O
x
d
i
z
i
n
g
A
g
e
n
t
P
r
o
d
u
c
t
w
h
e
n
R
e
d
u
c
e
d
2
O
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
H
O
H
O
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
,C
F
C
l
,
B
r
,
I
F
,
C
l
,
B
r
,
I
3
3
3
lH
(
B
r
O
,
I
O
)C
l
,
(
B
r
,
I
)
2O
4
2
2
-32(c
2
S
O
o
n
c
)
S
O
o
r
S
o
r
H
S
2
3
2
1
S
O
S
O
,
o
r
S
o
r
H
S
3
3
2
2
2
3
-4-11(c
H
N
O
o
n
c
)
o
r
N
O
N
O
,
o
r
N
O
,
o
r
N
O
,
o
r
N
,
o
r
N
H
2
+
2
M
n
O
(
b
a
s
e
)
M
n
O
4
2
M
nO
cid) M
n3
4(a
9

Common Reducing Agents

+
1
R
e
d
u
c
i
n
g
A
g
e
n
t
P
r
o
d
u
c
t
w
h
e
n
O
x
i
d
i
z
e
d
2
H
H
2
2
2
-H
1O O
2
IN
I
3
2
4
2
-H
2-,2N
H
N
2
2
,S
S
H
S
S
3
4
1
1
O
S
O
2
3
N
O
N
O
2
+
2
+
3
(Fe++a22s(accoikde)orcharcoal)C
C
O
o
r
C
O
Fe++34
10

Balancing Redox Reactions

1) assign oxidation numbers

a) determine element oxidized and element reduced

2) write ox. & red. half-reactions, including

electrons

a) ox. electrons on right, red. electrons on left of arrow

3) balance half-reactions by mass

a)
b)
c)
d)

first balance elements other than H and O

add H2O where need O
add H+1 where need H
neutralize H+ with OH- in base

4) balance half-reactions by charge

a) balance charge by adjusting electrons

5) balance electrons between half-reactions

6) add half-reactions
7) check
11

Ex 18.3 Balance the equation:

I(aq) + MnO4(aq) I2(aq) + MnO2(s) in basic
solution
Assign
Oxidation
States
Separate
into halfreactions

I(aq) + MnO4(aq) I2(aq) + MnO2(s)

ox: I(aq) I2(aq)

red:
red: MnO4(aq) MnO2(s)

12

Ex 18.3 Balance the equation:

I(aq) + MnO4(aq) I2(aq) + MnO2(s) in basic
solution

Balance
Balancehalf-ox: ox:
2 I(aq)
2I(aq)
I

I2(aq)

I2(aq)
I2(aq)
(aq)
reactions
half- by

red: red:
4 H+MnO
+ 4MnO

MnO
MnO
H+2O2(l)H2O(l)
(aq)
(aq)
4
(aq)
2(s) + 2
2(s)
mass
reactions
by mass
then
O by
4 H+(aq) + 4 OH(aq) + MnO4(aq) MnO2(s) + 2 H2O(l) + 4 OH(aq)
adding
then
in
base,
HHby
O
2
adding H+
neutralize

+
4
H
O
+
MnO

MnO
+
2
H
O
+
4
OH
2
(aq)
4
(aq)
2(s)
2
(l)
(aq)
the H
with OH-

MnO4(aq) + 2 H2O(l) MnO2(s) + 4 OH(aq)

13

Ex 18.3 Balance the equation:

I(aq) + MnO4(aq) I2(aq) + MnO2(s) in basic
solution
Balance ox: 2 I(aq) I2(aq) + 2 e
Halfred: MnO4(aq) + 2 H2O(l) + 3 e MnO2(s) + 4 OH(aq)
reactions
by
charge
Balance
electrons
between
halfreactions

ox: 2 I(aq) I2(aq) + 2 e } x3

red: MnO4(aq) + 2 H2O(l) + 3 e MnO2(s) + 4 OH(aq) }x2
ox: 6 I(aq) 3 I2(aq) + 6 e
red: 2 MnO4(aq) + 4 H2O(l) + 6 e 2 MnO2(s) + 8 OH(aq)
14

Ex 18.3 Balance the equation:

I(aq) + MnO4(aq) I2(aq) + MnO2(s) in basic
solution
Add the ox: 6 I(aq) 3 I2(aq) + 6 e
Halfred: 2 MnO4(aq) + 4 H2O(l) + 6 e 2 MnO2(s) + 8 OH(aq)
reactions

tot: 6 I

Check

(aq)

+ 2 MnO4

(aq)

+ 4 H2O(l) 3 I2(aq)+ 2 MnO2(s) + 8 OH

Reactant
Count
6

Element
I

Product
Count
6

Mn

12

12

charge

15

(aq)

OVERALL PICTURE
Electrochemistry is concerned with the effect
of electrical voltages and currents on
chemical reactions (ionics)
and chemical changes which produce the
voltages and currents (electrodics).
Ionics is governed by Faradays laws,
whereas electrodics is determined by the
Nernst equation

IONICS

Electrochemical Cells
in all electrochemical cells, oxidation occurs
at the anode, reduction occurs at the
cathode
in voltaic cells,
anode is the source of electrons and has a ()
charge
cathode draws electrons and has a (+) charge

in electrolytic cells
electrons are drawn off the anode, so it must
have a place to release the electrons, the +
terminal of the battery
electrons are forced toward the anode, so it
18
must have a source
of electrons, the terminal

Electrolytic Cell
uses electrical energy to overcome the
energy barrier and cause a non-spontaneous
reaction
must be DC source

the + terminal of the battery = anode

the - terminal of the battery = cathode
cations attracted to the cathode, anions to
the anode
cations pick up electrons from the cathode
and are reduced, anions release electrons to
the anode and are oxidized
19

20

electroplating
In electroplating, the work
piece is the cathode.
Cations are reduced at
cathode and plate to
the surface of the work
piece.
The anode is made of
the plate metal. The
anode oxidizes and
replaces the metal
cations in the solution
21

Electrolysis
electrolysis is the process of
using electricity to break a
compound apart
electrolysis is done in an
electrolytic cell
electrolytic cells can be used to
separate elements from their
compounds
generate H2 from water for fuel
cells
recover metals from their ores

22

Electrolysis of Water

23

Electrolysis of Pure
Compounds
must be in molten (liquid) state
electrodes normally graphite
cations are reduced at the cathode to
metal element
anions oxidized at anode to nonmetal
element

24

Electrolysis of NaCl(l)

25

Mixtures of Ions
when more than one cation is
present, the cation that is easiest to
reduce will be reduced first at the
cathode
least negative or most positive Ered

when more than one anion is

present, the anion that is easiest to
oxidize will be oxidized first at the
anode
least negative or most positive Eox
26

Electrolysis of Aqueous Solutions

Complicated by more than one possible oxidation and
reduction

possible cathode reactions

reduction of cation to metal
reduction of water to H2
2 H2O + 2 e-1 H2 + 2 OH-1
E = -0.41 v @ pH 7

E = -0.83 v @ stand. cond.

possible anode reactions

oxidation of anion to element

oxidation of H2O to O2

2 H2O O2 + 4e-1 + 4H+1 E = -1.23 v @ stand. cond.

E = -0.82 v @ pH 7

oxidation of electrode

particularly Cu
graphite doesnt oxidize

half-reactions that lead to least negative E tot will occur

unless overvoltage changes the conditions

some electrolysis reactions require more voltage than

27
Etot, called the overvoltage

Electrolysis of NaI(aq)
with Inert Electrodes
possible oxidations
2 I-1 I2 + 2 e-1
E = 0.54 v
2 H2O O2 + 4e-1 + 4H+1 E = 0.82 v
possible reductions
Na+1 + 1e-1 Na0
E = 2.71 v
2 H2O + 2 e-1 H2 + 2 OH-1 E = 0.41 v

overall reaction
2 I(aq) + 2 H2O(l) I2(aq) + H2(g) + 2 OH-1(aq)
28

Faradays Law
the amount of metal deposited
during electrolysis is directly
proportional to the charge on the
cation, the current, and the length of
time the cell runs
charge that flows through the cell =
current x time

29

Example 18.10- Calculate the mass of Au that can be plated in

25 min using 5.5 A for the half-reaction
Au3+(aq) + 3 e Au(s)
Given:
Find:

3 mol e : 1 mol Au, current = 5.5 amps, time = 25

min
mass Au, g

Concept t(s), amp

Plan:
Relationsh
ips:
Solve:

charge (C)

5.5 C
1s

mol e

1 mol e
96,485 C

mol Au

1 mol Au
3 mol e

g Au

196.97 g
1 mol Au

60 s 5.5 C 1 mol e 1 mol Au 196.97 g

25 min

1 min
1s
96,485 C 3 mol e 1 mol Au
5.6 g Au

Check:

units are correct, answer is reasonable since 10 A

running for 1 hr ~ 1/3 mol e
30

ELECTRODICS

Electrical Current
when we talk about the
current of a liquid in a
stream, we are discussing
the amount of water that
passes by in a given
period of time
when we discuss electric
current, we are
discussing the amount of
electric charge that
passes a point in a given
period of time
whether as electrons
flowing through a wire or
ions flowing through
a
34
solution

Redox Reactions & Current

redox reactions involve the transfer
of electrons from one substance to
another
therefore, redox reactions have the
potential to generate an electric
current
in order to use that current, we need
to separate the place where
oxidation is occurring from the place
that reduction
is occurring
35

Electric Current Flowing

Directly Between Atoms

36

Electric Current Flowing

Indirectly Between Atoms

37

Electrochemical Cells
electrochemistry is the study of
redox reactions that produce or require
an electric current
the conversion between chemical
energy and electrical energy is carried
out in an electrochemical cell
spontaneous redox reactions take
place in a voltaic cell
aka galvanic cells

nonspontaneous redox reactions can

be made to occur in an electrolytic
cell by the addition
of electrical
38

Electrochemical Cells
oxidation and reduction reactions kept
separate
half-cells

electron flow through a wire along with ion

flow through a solution constitutes an
electric circuit
requires a conductive solid (metal or
graphite) electrode to allow the transfer
of electrons
through external circuit

ion exchange between the two halves of

the system
electrolyte

39

Electrodes
Anode
electrode where oxidation occurs
anions attracted to it
connected to positive end of battery in
electrolytic cell
loses weight in electrolytic cell
Cathode
electrode where reduction occurs
cations attracted to it
connected to negative end of battery in
electrolytic cell
gains weight in electrolytic cell
electrode where plating takes place in
electroplating
40

Voltaic Cell
the salt bridge is
required to complete
the circuit and
maintain charge
balance

41

Current and Voltage

the number of electrons that flow through the
system per second is the current
unit = Ampere
1 A of current = 1 Coulomb of charge flowing by
each second
1 A = 6.242 x 1018 electrons/second
Electrode surface area dictates the number of
electrons that can flow

the difference in potential energy between the

reactants and products is the potential
difference
unit = Volt
1 V of force = 1 J of energy/Coulomb of charge
the voltage needed to drive electrons through the
external circuit
42 pushing the electrons through the
amount of force

Cell Potential
the difference in potential energy
between the anode the cathode in a
voltaic cell is called the cell potential
the cell potential depends on the
relative ease with which the oxidizing
agent is reduced at the cathode and
the reducing agent is oxidized at the
anode
the cell potential under standard
conditions is called the standard
emf, Ecell
25C, 1 atm43for gases, 1 M concentration

Cell Notation
shorthand description of Voltaic cell
electrode | electrolyte || electrolyte |
electrode
oxidation half-cell on left, reduction
half-cell on the right
single | = phase barrier
if multiple electrolytes in same phase, a
comma is used rather than |
often use an inert electrode

double line || = salt bridge

44

Fe(s) | Fe2+(aq) || MnO4(aq), Mn2+(aq), H+(aq) | Pt(s)

45

Standard Reduction Potential

a half-reaction with a strong
tendency to occur has a large +
half-cell potential
when two half-cells are connected,
the electrons will flow so that the
half-reaction with the stronger
tendency will occur
we cannot measure the absolute
tendency of a half-reaction, we
can only measure it relative to
another half-reaction
we select as a standard halfreaction the reduction of H+ to H2
under standard conditions, which
we assign a potential difference =
46
0v

47

Half-Cell Potentials
SHE reduction potential is defined to be
exactly 0 v
half-reactions with a stronger tendency
toward reduction than the SHE have a +
value for Ered
half-reactions with a stronger tendency
toward oxidation than the SHE have a
value for Ered
Ecell = Eoxidation + Ereduction
Eoxidation = Ereduction
when adding E values for the half-cells, do not
multiply the 48half-cell E values, even if you

50

Ex 18.4 Calculate Ecell for the reaction at

25C
Al(s) + NO3(aq) + 4 H+(aq) Al3+(aq) + NO(g) + 2
H2O(l)
ox: Al(s) Al3+(aq) + 3 e
Separate the
reaction into
the oxidation
red: NO3(aq) + 4 H+(aq) + 3 e NO(g) + 2 H2O(l)
and reduction
half-reactions
find the E for Eox = Ered = +1.66 v
each halfEred = +0.96 v
reaction and
sum to get Ecell Ecell = (+1.66 v) + (+0.96 v) = +2.62 v
Tro, Chemistry: A
Molecular Approach

51

Ex 18.4a Predict if the following reaction is spontaneous

under standard conditions
Fe(s) + Mg2+(aq) Fe2+(aq) + Mg(s)

Separate the
reaction into
the oxidation
and reduction
half-reactions

ox: Fe(s) Fe2+(aq) + 2 e

red:

Mg2+(aq) + 2 e Mg(s)

look up the
relative
positions of the
reduction halfreactions

red:

Mg2+(aq) + 2 e Mg(s)

red:

Fe2+(aq) + 2 e Fe(s)

since Mg2+ reduction is below Fe2+

reduction, the reaction is NOT spontaneous
as written
52

Mg(s) + Fe2+(aq) Mg2+(aq) + Fe(s)

the reaction is
spontaneous in the
reverse direction

ox: Mg(s) Mg2+(aq) + 2 e

red:

sketch the cell and

label the parts
oxidation occurs at
the anode; electrons
flow from anode to
cathode

53

Fe2+(aq) + 2 e Fe(s)

Practice - Sketch and Label the Voltaic Cell

Fe(s) Fe2+(aq) Pb2+(aq) Pb(s) , Write the Half-Reactions and Overall
Reaction, and Determine the Cell Potential under Standard Conditions.

54

Fe(s) Fe2+(aq) + 2 e

E = +0.45 V

red: Pb2+(aq) + 2 e Pb(s)

E = 0.13 V

ox:

tot: Pb2+(aq) + Fe(s) Fe2+(aq) + Pb(s)

55

E = +0.32 V

Predicting Whether a Metal Will

Dissolve in an Acid
acids dissolve in metals if
the reduction of the
metal ion is easier than
the reduction of H+(aq)
metals whose ion
reduction reaction lies
below H+ reduction on
the table will dissolve in
acid
56

Ecell, G and K
for a spontaneous reaction
one the proceeds in the forward direction
with the chemicals in their standard
states
G < 1 (negative)
E > 1 (positive)
K>1

G = RTlnK = nFEcell
n is the number of electrons
F = Faradays Constant = 96,485 C/mol
57
e

Example 18.6- Calculate G for the

reaction
I2(s) + 2 Br(aq) Br2(l) + 2 I(aq)
Given:
Find:

Concept Plan:

I2(s) + 2 Br(aq) Br2(l) + 2 I(aq)

G, (J)
Eox, Ered

E cell E ox E red

Relationships:
Solve:

Ecell

2 Br
Br
ox:

+
2
e
(aq)
2(l)
G nFE

cell

G nFE cell

E = 1.09 v

C = +0.54 v
I2(l) + 2 e
2 I(aq)
red:
E
G 2 mol e 96,485
0.55
mol e

J
C

tot: I2(l) + 2Br(aq)5 2I(aq) + Br2(l) E = 0.55 v

G 1.110 J

Answer: since G is +, the reaction is not spontaneous in the

forward direction under standard conditions
58

Example 18.7- Calculate at 25C for the

reaction
Cu(s) + 2 H+(aq) H2(g) + Cu2+(aq)
Given:
Find:

Concept Plan:

Cu(s) + 2 H+(aq) H2(g) + Cu2+(aq)

Eox, Ered

Relationships:
Solve:

cell

Ecell

E E

ox

red

cell

0.0592 V

log K
n

0.0592
V 2+ + 2 e

ox:
Cu

Cu
E = 0.34 v
E cell (s)
log
(aq)K
n

+
molHe2(aq)
red: 2 H (aq) + 2 e2
E = +0.00 v
log K 0.34 V
11.5
0.0592 2+
V
+
tot: Cu
+ 2H (aq)
Cu (aq) + H2(g) E = 0.34 v
11(s)
.5
12
K 10
3.2 10

Answer: since < 1, the position of equilibrium lies far to the

left under standard conditions
59

Nonstandard Conditions the Nernst Equation

G = G + RT ln Q
E = E - (0.0592/n) log Q at 25C
when Q = K, E = 0
use to calculate E when
concentrations not 1 M

60

E at Nonstandard Conditions

61

Example 18.8- Calculate Ecellat 25C for the

reaction
3 Cu(s) + 2 MnO4(aq) + 8 H+(aq) 2 MnO2(s) + Cu2+(aq) + 4
H2O(l)

+
2+
Given:
Find:
Concept
Plan:

3 Cu(s) + 2 MnO4
+ 4 H2O(l)

(aq)

+8H

(aq)

2 MnO2(s) + Cu

(aq)

[Cu2+] = 0.010 M, [MnO4] = 2.0 M, [H+] = 1.0 M

Ecell

Eox, Ered

Ecell

E cell E ox E red

Relationsh
Solve:
ips:

Ecell

E cell E cell

0.0592 V
log Q
n

2 3
0.0592
V
[
Cu
]
+ 2 e }x3 log
E = 0.34
3 v 8
n
[MnO 4 ] [H ]

E cell2+(aq)
E cell

ox: Cu
0.0592
V (s) Cu
E cell E
log Q
+
red:
MnO4 (aq) + 4 H
+
H2O
n (aq) 3 e MnO2(s) +0.20592
V(l) }x2
[0.010E
]3 = +1.68 v

cell

1.34 V

log

3
8
tot: 3 Cu(s) + 2 MnO4(aq) + 8 H+(aq) cell2 MnO2(s) + Cu62+(aq) + 4[2H.0]
O
E
= +1.34 v
[
1
.0]
2 (l))

E cell 1.41 V

Check:

units are correct, Ecell > Ecell as expected because

[MnO4] > 1 M and [Cu2+] < 1 M
62

Concentration Cells
it is possible to get a spontaneous reaction when
the oxidation and reduction reactions are the same,
as long as the electrolyte concentrations are
different
the difference in energy is due to the entropic
difference in the solutions
the more concentrated solution has lower entropy than
the less concentrated

electrons will flow from the electrode in the less

concentrated solution to the electrode in the more
concentrated solution
oxidation of the electrode in the less concentrated solution
will increase the ion concentration in the solution the
less concentrated solution has the anode
reduction of the solution ions at the electrode in the more
concentrated solution reduces the ion concentration the
63
more concentrated solution has the cathode

Concentration Cell
when
cell
when the
cellthe
concentrations
concentrations
are different,
electrons flow
areside
equal
there
from the
with
theisless
no difference
in
concentrated
solution
energy
(anode)
to thebetween
side with the
the half-cellssolution
and
more concentrated
no electrons flow
(cathode)

Cu(s) Cu2+(aq) (0.010 M)

Tro, Chemistry: A
Molecular Approach

64

Cu2+(aq) (2.0 M) Cu(s)

LeClanche Acidic Dry Cell

electrolyte in paste form
ZnCl2 + NH4Cl
or MgBr2

anode = Zn (or Mg)

Zn(s) Zn2+(aq) + 2 e-

cathode = graphite rod

MnO2 is reduced
2 MnO2(s) + 2 NH4+(aq) + 2 H2O(l) + 2 e 2 NH4OH(aq) + 2 Mn(O)OH(s)

cell voltage = 1.5 v

expensive, nonrechargeable,
heavy, easily corroded
65

Alkaline Dry Cell

same basic cell as acidic dry
cell, except electrolyte is
alkaline KOH paste
anode = Zn (or Mg)
Zn(s) Zn2+(aq) + 2 e-

cathode = brass rod

MnO2 is reduced
2 MnO2(s) + 2 NH4+(aq) + 2 H2O(l) + 2 e 2 NH4OH(aq) + 2 Mn(O)OH(s)

cell voltage = 1.54 v

longer shelf life than acidic dry
cells and rechargeable, little
66
corrosion of zinc

Lead Storage Battery

6 cells in series
electrolyte = 30% H2SO4
anode = Pb
Pb(s) + SO42-(aq) PbSO4(s) + 2
e-

cathode = Pb coated with

PbO2
PbO2 is reduced
PbO2(s) + 4 H+(aq) + SO42-(aq) + 2 e PbSO4(s) + 2 H2O(l)

cell voltage = 2.09

v
67

NiCad Battery
electrolyte is concentrated KOH
solution
anode = Cd

Cd(s) + 2 OH-1(aq) Cd(OH)2(s) + 2 e-1 E0 =

0.81 v

cathode = Ni coated with NiO2

NiO2 is reduced

NiO2(s) + 2 H2O(l) + 2 e-1 Ni(OH)2(s) + 2OH-1 E0 =

0.49 v

cell voltage = 1.30 v

rechargeable, long life, light
however recharging incorrectly can
68
lead to battery
breakdown

Ni-MH Battery
electrolyte is concentrated KOH solution
anode = metal alloy with dissolved
hydrogen
oxidation of H from H0 to H+1
MH(s) + OH-1(aq) M(s) + H2O(l) + e-1 E = 0.89 v

cathode = Ni coated with NiO2

NiO2 is reduced
NiO2(s) + 2 H2O(l) + 2 e-1 Ni(OH)2(s) + 2OH-1

E0 = 0.49 v

cell voltage = 1.30 v

rechargeable, long life, light, more
environmentally friendly than NiCad,
greater energy density than NiCad
69

Lithium Ion Battery

electrolyte is concentrated
KOH solution
anode = graphite
impregnated with Li ions
cathode = Li - transition
metal oxide
reduction of transition metal

work on Li ion migration from

anode to cathode causing a
corresponding migration of
electrons from anode to
cathode
rechargeable, long life, very
light, more environmentally
friendly, greater energy
density
70

71

Fuel Cells
like batteries in
which reactants are
constantly being
added
so it never runs
down!

Anode and Cathode

both Pt coated
metal
Electrolyte is OH
solution
Anode Reaction:
2 H2 + 4 OH
4 H2O(l) + 4 e Cathode Reaction:
O2 + 4 H2O + 472e-