Fundamentals 1

of
Electrochemical
Industry

Submitted by: krishna soni

Roll no:14001005027
chemical 4th yr
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Electron Transfer Reactions

• Electron transfer reactions are oxidation-

reduction or redox reactions.

• Results in the generation of an electric

current (electricity) or be caused by
imposing an electric current.

• Therefore, this field of chemistry is often

called ELECTROCHEMISTRY.
 Terminology for Redox
3

Reactions
• OXIDATION—loss of electron(s) by a species;
increase in oxidation number; increase in
oxygen.
• REDUCTION—gain of electron(s); decrease in
oxidation number; decrease in oxygen;
increase in hydrogen.
• OXIDIZING AGENT—electron acceptor;
species is reduced.
• REDUCING AGENT—electron donor; species
is oxidized.
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OXIDATION-REDUCTION
REACTIONS
Direct Redox Reaction
Oxidizing and
reducing agents in
direct contact.
Cu(s) + 2 Ag+(aq) --->
Cu2+(aq) + 2 Ag(s)
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OXIDATION-REDUCTION
REACTIONS
Indirect Redox Reaction

A battery functions by transferring electrons

through an external wire from the reducing
agent to the oxidizing agent.
 CHEMICAL CHANGE --->
6

ELECTRIC CURRENT
•To obtain a useful
current, we separate the
oxidizing and reducing
agents so that electron
transfer occurs through
an external wire.

This is accomplished in a GALVANIC or

VOLTAIC cell.
A group of such cells is called a battery.
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Zn --> Zn2+ + 2e- Cu2+ + 2e- --> Cu

Oxidation Reduction
Anode Cathode
Negative Positive
<--Anions
RED CAT
Cations-->

•Electrons travel thru external wire.

•Salt bridge allows anions and cations to move
between electrode compartments.
 Charging a Battery
8

When you charge a battery, you are

forcing the electrons backwards (from
the + to the -). To do this, you will
need a higher voltage backwards than
forwards. This is why the ammeter in
your car often goes slightly higher
while your battery is charging, and
then returns to normal.

In your car, the battery charger is

called an alternator. If you have a
dead battery, it could be the
battery needs to be replaced OR
the alternator is not charging the
battery properly.
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H2 as a Fuel

Cars can use electricity generated by H2/O2

fuel cells.
H2 carried in tanks or generated from
hydrocarbons
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Cathodic Protection Against

Corrosion
• Underground steel pipes offer the strength to 11
transport fluids at high pressures, but they
are vulnerable to corrosion driven by
electrochemical processes. A measure of
protection can be offered by driving a
magnesium rod into the ground near the pipe
and providing an electrical connection to the
pipe. Since the magnesium has a standard
potential of -2.38 volts compared to -.41 volts
for iron, it can act as a anode of a voltaic cell
with the steel pipe acting as the cathode. With
damp soil serving as the electrolyte, a small
current can flow in the wire connected to the
pipe. The magnesium rod will be eventually
consumed by the reaction
• Mg(s) -> + Mg2+(aq) + 2e-
• while the steel pipe as the cathode will be
protected by the reaction
• O2(g) + 2H2O(l) + 4e- -> 4OH-(aq).
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Thank you