Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - CHEM 465 D100

Electrochemistry (3)

Class Number: 5851

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Tue, Thu, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Steven Holdcroft
    holdcrof@sfu.ca
    778-782-4221
    Office: SSB 8102

  • Prerequisites:

    CHEM 360 with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Modern techniques and concepts in electrochemistry. Topics include equilibrium and dynamic electrochemistry, ion transport and voltammetry. Electrochemical systems of increasing importance including chemically modified electrodes, fuel cells and solar energy conversion applications will also be discussed. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

3 lecture hours/week; 1 tutorial hour/week


TOPICS
   1. EQUILIBRIUM ELECTROCHEMISTRY

     (i) Electrochemical Cells and Electrochemical Potentials
     (ii) The Nernst Equation
     (iii) Energy Levels of Ions in Solution

  1. IONS IN SOLUTION

     (i)  The Nature of the Electrode/Solution Interface"
     (ii)  Non-Faradaic and Faradaic Processes” 
     (iii) The Electrical Double Layer; Charging Currents”
     (ii)  Ion transport

  1. DYNAMIC ELECTROCHEMISTRY

     (i)  Faradaic Processes: Chemical Reversibility; Electrode Kinetics
     (ii)  Mass Transfer Controlled Reactions": Migration and Diffusion

  1. VOLTAMMETRY

     (i)  Instrumentation and Electrochemical Cells
     (ii)  Potential step methods": Chronoamperometry and Chronocoulometry
     (iii)  Potential sweep methods": Linear sweep voltammetry; Cyclic Voltammetry;
     (iv)  Diagnostic electrochemistry: Chemical Reactions Coupled with Electrochemical Reactions

  1. SMALL AMPLITUDE TECHNIQUES

     (i)  Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
     (ii)  Pulse Voltammetry

  1. VOLTAMMETRY UNDER FORCED CONVECTION

     (i)  Rotating Disk and Rotating Ring-Disk Voltammetry
     (ii)  Ultra-microelectrodes

  1. ELECTROCHEMICAL SYSTEMS OF INCREASING IMPORTANCE

     (i)  Chemically Modified Electrodes
     (ii)  Energy Conversion Devices

Grading

  • Midterm I 30%
  • Midterm II 35%
  • Midterm III 35%

Materials

RECOMMENDED READING:

ON RESERVE IN THE LIBRARY

1)   "Laboratory Techniques in Electroanalytical Chemistry" by P.T. Kissinger and W.R. Heineman (QD 115 L23). (24 h loan)
2) "Electrochemical Methods" by A.J. Bard and L.R. Faulkner (QD 553 B37), (4 h loan)
3) "Modern Electrochemistry" by J. O'M Bockris (QD 553 B6 v.2). (24 h loan)


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

A grade of C- or better is required for all prerequisite courses.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.