Perspectives on the Physics and Chemistry of Electrochemistry

Synopsis

Electrochemistry is a ubiquitous aspect of our lives: from lithium-­‐ion batteries, to biomedical sensors, through to artificial photosynthesis. It quietly permeates every aspect of our modern world.  Yet, it is a complex process that is generally characterized by the exchange of electrical current from a solid to a liquid phase.   The solid phase typically falls into the domain of physicists, while the liquid phase is often the regime of chemistry.  Thus, a natural difficulty arises when describing the exchange of current flow between these two phases and communicating the concepts in a language accessible to both communities.   In this talk we’ll explore how basic electron transfer processes in electrochemistry can be explained from the perspective of both physicists and chemists.  By bridging the concepts of both communities, the research community will be further positioned to tackle the complex electrochemical problems that lie at the heart of our emerging carbon free and evermore interconnected world.