88376 - TECHNOLOGIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS AND ELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY STORAGE

Learning outcomes

Description and applicability of the main technologies and sensors for environmental analysis. Spectroscopic, gas chromatographic, electrochemical etc. Applications of electrochemical energy storage / production systems. Introduction to electrochemical systems: thermodynamics and kinetics. Main techniques of characterization of electrochemical systems. Performance evaluation. Storage and conversion of energy. Batteries and Supercapacitors.

Course contents

Prerequisites

Knowledge and skills acquired in the following courses are required: Mathematics, Physics, Analytical Instrumental Chemistry. In particular, to successfully attend this class, the student should:

• know basic aspects of electrochemistry and electroanalytical chemistry
• be able to create graphs and plot calibration curves

Content

• Importance of environmental analysis for heavy metals, organic compounds, pathogens, etc.
• Collecting, storing and preparing samples from air, soil/surfaces and water for analysis.
• Description and discussion on the main technologies and sensors for environmental analysis with focus on spectroscopic, gas chromatographic with emphasis on electrochemical methods.
• Field measurements versus analyses in centralized laboratories.
• Fundamentals of electrochemistry (thermodynamics, kinetics, electrode reactions, mass transfer, electrochemical methods and (bio)sensor designs and production).
• Introduction to electrochemical power sources, batteries and supercapacitors, primary cells and secondary cells. Electrochemical characterization of Batteries. Main analytical techniques for the characterization of these electrochemical systems.
• Electrochemical probe microscopies with laboratory demonstration on scanning electrochemical microscopy.

Readings/Bibliography

• J. R. Dean, "Evironmental Trace Analysis - Techniques and Applications", Wiley, 2014.
• M. Radojević, V. N. Bashkin, "Practical Environmental Analysis", Royal Society of Chemistry, 1999.
• C. Zhang, "Fundamentals of Environmental Sampling and Analysis", Wiley, 2006.
• L. M. Moretto, K. Kalcher, "Environmental Analysis by Electrochemical Sensors and Biosensors", Springer, 2014.R. M. Dell, D.A. Rand, Understanding Batteries" The Royal Society of Chemistry, 2001.
• Allen J. Bard, Larry R. Faulkner, "Electrochemical Methods: Fundamentals and Applications", Wiley, 2000.
• R. M. Dell, D.A. Rand, "Understanding Batteries", The Royal Society of Chemistry, 2001.
• B Scrosati and C. Vincent, "Modern Batteries", Butterworth-Heinemann, 2003.
• D. Linden, T. Reddy, “Handbook of Batteries”, McGraw-Hill, 2010.

Teaching methods

Front lectures and experimental demonstrations will be offered, and complemented by examples related to industrial applications.

Assessment methods

a) Oral presentation on a selected topic learned during the course using 10-15 slides (15 points)

b) Oral exam, about 20 minutes (18 points).

The honor (cum laude) is reached with 33 points.

Teaching tools

• Lecture slides and other material useful for exam preparation are made available to the student electronically on IOL platform.
• Students take notes during the lessons (the teachers will use the blackboard/whiteboard).
• Recent literature of impact will be provided and discussed.

Office hours

See the website of Marco Giorgetti

See the website of Andreas Stephan Lesch