To impart knowledge on the underpinning theory and materials chemistry of electrochemical systems for use in energy applications. This will include:
• To cover the structure and models of electrode-electrolyte, and solid-solid electrochemical interfaces and the variety of ways that they can be used in energy conversion devices.
• To provide an understanding of the principles of electrocatalysis, photoelectrocatalysis and photovoltaics.
• To demonstrate the importance of defect chemistry with particular relevance to energy materials.
• To provide a basic understanding of modern and future battery chemistries, including more sustainable battery chemistries.
This will provide the student with an understanding of the state-of-the-art in electrochemical interfaces for energy storage and conversion and the status of current research to enable the student to pursue their interests to a deeper level independently (for example to PhD l evel).

(LO1) Students will be able to critically evaluate different models of the electrode/electrolyte interfaces

(LO2) Students will utilise the principles of electrocatalysis/electrochemistry to evaluate the behaviour of materials and catalysts for electrochemical energy applications

(LO3) Demonstrate how electronic structure of semiconductors relate to applications in solar energy conversion and construct and judge simple examples of photoactive junctions from physical property data

(LO4) Show ability to describe minimum device requirements for solar photovoltaic and photoelectrochemical devices and to reproduce the structure and relevant energy diagrams for p-n Si devices and photoanodes and photocathodes. Learning Outcomes

(LO5) Students will be able to demonstrate the importance of defect chemistry in all solid state batteries and fuel cells

(LO6) Students will be able to outline the main challenges and recent material breakthroughs in energy materials research

(LO7) Students will be able to demonstrate the importance of intercalation/insertion chemistry in energy storage applications (batteries).

(LO8) Students will construct and judge student generated questions in relation to any aspect of course content to contribute to the collaborative and collective learning experience

(S1) Critical thinking (e.g. compare and contrast different energy storage and conversion devices and their advantageous and disadvantageous properties, scientific challenges etc.)

(S2) Self-study via reading and understanding suggested review articles

(S3) To be able to extract key information from Scientific Literature

Lectures. 24 x 1 hr in-person lectures.

Coursework. PeerWise assessment (15 %) and a paper review exercise (15 %) with students given a recent research paper to summarise and critically appraise.

Workshops. 2 x 1 hr in-person sessions. The workshops will provide students with a chance for small group working on a series of problems that are presented to them on the day with the support of the module teaching staff.

*Lectures: 24 hr
*Workshops: 2 hr

The module will cover the following topics:

Part 1: Introduction and electrochemical interfaces for energy conversion
1. Core course concepts - electrochemical potential, Nernst Equation, electrode/electrolyte interface models
2. Introduction to electrolysis, Faradays law, electrocatalysis and Butler-Volmer kinetics
3. Water electrolysis 1 - electrocatalysts for HER, Understanding HER kinetics (Tafel, Volmer, Heyrovsky)
4. Water electrolysis 2 - electrocatalysts for OER, Understanding OER kinetics (adsorbate vs lattice mechanisms)
5. Water electrolysis 3 - electrolyser designs (PEM, AEM, SOEC, AWE) and components and emerging concepts
6. Alternative electrocatalysis reactions 1 - carbon dioxide electrochemistry
7. Alternative electrocatalysis reactions 2 - Nitrogen electrochemistry
8. Introduction to semiconductor electrochemistry
9. Photo electrochemistry for chemical conversion - key principles of phot oanodes and cathodes
10. Introduction to photovoltaics and semiconductor heterojunctions
11. Next generation solar materials (perovskite, thin-film)
12. Revision lecture

Part 2: Battery Chemistry
1. Defect chemistry and defect chemistry notation
2. Defect chemistry and ion conduction – examples in batteries and fuel cells
3. Intercalation and insertion chemistry -- chemical and electrochemical methods of synthesis and relevance to batteries
4. Lithium ion battery
5. Modern lithium ion battery materials
6. All Solid state batteries
7. Advanced analytical methods to understand battery (electro)chemistry
8. Future battery chemistries 1 (metal-air – Li-air/Na-air/K-air))
9. Future battery chemistries 2 (metal-sulfur, redox flow)
10. Towards sustainable battery chemistries (Na-ion, Mg-ion, Ca-ion), carbon electrodes, resource map
11. The proton as the guest s pecies – NiMH hydride batteries, H2 storage
12. Revision lecture