Details of CH4115 (Autumn 2022)

Level: 4 Type: Theory Credits: 4.0

Course CodeCourse NameInstructor(s)
CH4115 Chemistry for Alternative Energy Solutions Sayan Bhattacharyya

Preamble
The course will discuss and explain various alternative and renewable techniques for energy conversion based on electrochemistry. Students will learn using the basics of
electrochemistry and its application to develop energy storage devices, such as, batteries, semiconductors and solar cells.

Syllabus
1) Introduction
alternative and renewable energy conversion and storage
2) Electrochemistry
voltammetry, reference electrodes, Tafel slope, electrochemically active surface area
3) Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
types of resistance, equivalent circuit, Nyquist & Bode plots
4) Electrocatalytic energy conversion
hydrogen fuel production & storage, carbon dioxide reduction, ammonia production, types of electrodes; alkaline and solid oxide fuel cells
5) Photoelectrochemistry
semiconductor basics, quantum dots, band bending, p-n junction
6) Photovoltaics
first & second-generation solar cells, organic, dye-sensitized, quantum dot sensitized & perovskite
solar cells
7) Batteries
primary and secondary batteries, lithium-ion and alternatives, metal-air batteries, flow batteries
8) Supercapacitors
basic components, double layer, pseudocapacitors, comparison with batteries
9) Thermoelectrics
thermoelectric effect, thermionic power conversion, solar thermoelectrics

References
(1) Modern Electrochemistry Ionics (Volume I) by J. O M. Bockris and A. K. N. Reddy, Springer,
2006.
(2) Modern Electrochemistry Fundamentals of Electrodics (Volume 2A) by J. O M. Bockris, A. K. N.
Reddy and M. Gamboa-Aldeco, Springer, 2006.
(3) Modern Electrochemistry Electrodics in Chemistry, Engineering, Biology, and Environmental
Science (Volume 2B) by J. O M. Bockris and A. K. N. Reddy, Springer, 2006.
(4) Applied Photovoltaics (3 rd Edition) by S. R. Wenham, M. A. Green, M. E. Watt, R. Corkish and A.
Sproul, EarthScan, 2011.
(5) Advanced Batteries Materials Science Aspects by Robert A. Huggins, Boston MA, Springer, 2009
(6) Thermoelectrics: Basic Principles and New Materials Developments by G. S. Nolan, J. Sharp, H. J.
Goldsmid, Springer, 2001.

Course Credit Options

Sl. No.ProgrammeSemester NoCourse Choice
1 IP 1 Not Allowed
2 IP 3 Elective
3 IP 5 Not Allowed
4 MR 1 Not Allowed
5 MR 3 Not Allowed
6 MS 3 Not Allowed
7 MS 5 Not Allowed
8 MS 7 Elective
9 MS 9 Elective
10 RS 1 Elective
11 RS 2 Elective