OVERVIEW

The Course Physical Chemistry 2 with Laboratory is focused on chemical kinetics and electrochemistry. It complete the basic chemical-physical knowledge of materials science students, allowing to approach to the investigation of ì complex Physical chemical systems.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching aims to introduce students to the fundamental aspects of electrochemistry, kinetics and catalysis. The main information for the knowledge and understanding of applied electrochemistry (primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells), kinetics (gas phase and solution reactions) and catalysis (homogeneous catalysis, heterogeneous catalysis with Langmuir Isotherm) will be provided , enzymatic catalysis and the Michaelis-Menten mechanism).

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching aims to introduce the student to theoretical and practical concepts of chemical kinetics, catalysis, electrochemistry and electrokinetics. The main background to understand the applied electrochemistry, gas/solution phase kinetics, homogeneous, heterogeneous and enzymatic catalysis will be provided. The teaching is expected to make student with familiar with the mathematical derivations necessary for understanding to the fundamental elements of kinetics and electrochemistry. The student should also acquire experimental skills and theoretical-practical knowledge to independently carry out an experimental study on the time-dependent chemical-physical phenomena. Finally, the student should acquire the ability to describe the experimental activity clearly and concisely in the laboratory notebook and to elaborate, rationalize and critically comment on the experimental data within the laboratory report.

PREREQUISITES

Background in elementary physics and mathematics, and Physical Chemistry 1 and General and Inorganic Chemistry are mandatory

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures focused on the teaching program (40 hours) guided numerical exercises (24 hours) aimed at consolidating theoretical knowledge and acquiring a method of solving numerical problems. Students, divided into small groups, will carry out laboratory activities (13 h) aimed at consolidating theoretical knowledge and developing the ability to design experiments to investigate time dependent  chemical-physical phenomena. Attendance at lectures is considered essential for the performance of laboratory activities.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

CHEMICAL KINETICS AND CATALYSIS

Reaction rate and order. Molecularity and reaction mechanism. Series reactions. Parallel reactions. Reversible reactions. Kinetic analysis of experimental data. Dependence of reaction rate on temperature (Arrhenius equation). Theory of chemical reactions (collision theory and transition state theory). Kinetics of Complex Reactions. Catalysis and catalysts. Homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. Langmuir isotherm. Enzymatic catalysis.

ELECTROCHEMISTRY

Principles of electrochemistry: electrical conduction in solution, mobility and transport numbers. Activity and activity coefficients. Electrochemical potential and the Nerst equation. Standard electrode potentials. The electrochemical potential and cells. Applied electrochemistry: primary batteries (Leclanchè, Mallory, Zn-Ag, Zn-air, lithium,), secondary batteries (Pb-acid, Ni-Cd, NiMH, Li ion, Li-S and Na-S). Memory effect and charging processes.  Fuel cells: the principles, thermodynamic efficiency, real losses, structure of a fuel cell

LABORATORY

At least 4 experiments based on the theoretical topics covered during classes

The detailed program will be discussed with the students during classes

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

P. W. Atkins, J. De Paula, Chimica Fisica, Zanichelli, Bologna, 2004.

K.J.Laidler Chemical Kinetics Harper Collins 1987 

V.S.Bagotsky  Fundamentals of Electrochemistry  Wiley Interscience  2006

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

From February 25 2024, (please check here)

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination will be organized as follows

During the semester there will be two  written exam focused on chemical kinetics and on the electrochemistry part, respectively.  In each exam , the student will answer to theoretical questions and  it will solve numerical exercises. Students who pass the two examinations with a grade of not less than 24/30 and have positive evaluation with respect to the laboratory notebook and the laboratory report (see description below), will pass with the grade acquired and in any case not more than 26/30. It will be the student's choice to request to take the oral examination  to further the evaluation possibly allowing for a higher grade to be awarded.

The oral examination is conducted by two tenured faculty members and has a minimum duration of 45 minutes

-) Preparation of the laboratory notebook containing a detailed account of all experimental and computational activities carried out in the laboratory. The laboratory notebook, personally prepared by each student, must be handed in to the teacher at least ten days before the examination.

-) Preparation of the laboratory report prepared in a manner to be discussed in detail during classes. Generally speaking , the laboratory file should contain: a. detailed description of the theoretical foundations and experimental aspects of the laboratory experiences; b. elaboration, rationalization and critical evaluation of the results of the experiments obtained. The laboratory report , prepared by small groups of students, should be handed in to the lecturer at least ten days before the examination.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The assessment of the achievement of the expected learning outcomes will be through the combined assessment of the written exam, lab notebook and lab file. Specifically:

-) The written examination (oral where required) will allow, in addition to the assessment of the student's knowledge of the topics covered by the teaching, the verification of the student's reasoning ability and his ability to solve numerical exercises. During the written examination (oral where required), the student's command of language and appropriate use of specialized vocabulary will also be assessed.

-) Evaluation of the laboratory notebook will test the student's critical observational and reasoning skills in planning and executing the experimental activity. The ability to describe the laboratory activity in a clear organic and detailed manner will also be assessed.

- -) assessment of the laboratory file will allow to verify the student's ability to rationalize the experimental activity carried out, elaborating and commenting critically on the experimental results obtained during the activities' laboratory. It will also be possible to assess the students' ability to organize a scientific text of medium length in a rational and homogenous manner. Finally, students' ability to work in teams will be assessed.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sergio Di Domizio (sergio.didomizio@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.