p.1
Comparison of Batteries, Fuel Cells, and Supercapacitors
What are the three main systems for electrochemical energy storage and conversion?
Batteries, fuel cells, and electrochemical capacitors (ECs).
p.7
Thermodynamics in Electrochemical Reactions
What role does the accelerated rate calorimeter play in battery safety?
It identifies safety-related situations that can lead to thermal runaway.
p.5
Kinetics of Battery and Fuel Cell Reactions
What does activation polarization relate to?
The kinetics of the electrochemical redox reactions at the electrode/electrolyte interfaces.
p.7
Experimental Techniques for Analyzing Electrochemical Systems
What is the purpose of 'tear-down' analysis in battery research?
To examine components of spent cells and understand degradation phenomena.
p.4
Battery Types: Primary and Secondary Batteries
What is the purpose of a separator in a battery?
A separator is a physical barrier between the positive and negative electrodes to prevent electrical shorting.
p.10
Battery Types: Primary and Secondary Batteries
What distinguishes primary batteries from secondary batteries?
Primary batteries have non-reversible discharge reactions.
p.8
Battery Types: Primary and Secondary Batteries
What is a primary battery?
A battery that is discharged once and then discarded.
p.5
Kinetics of Battery and Fuel Cell Reactions
What is the effect of irreversible behavior in a battery?
It manifests as a departure from the equilibrium or thermodynamic voltage.
p.3
Comparison of Batteries, Fuel Cells, and Supercapacitors
What is the main advantage of combining batteries and fuel cells in hybrid electrochemical power schemes?
Batteries provide high power while fuel cells deliver high energy.
p.6
Kinetics of Battery and Fuel Cell Reactions
What does a higher exchange current density indicate about an electrode reaction?
Reactions with larger exchange current densities are more reversible and have lower polarization for a given current flow.
p.3
Battery Types: Primary and Secondary Batteries
What is the energy yield of a primary battery system compared to its theoretical value?
Greater than 50% of its theoretical value.
p.5
Kinetics of Battery and Fuel Cell Reactions
What is the Butler-Volmer equation used for?
To describe the rate of charge-transfer-controlled battery reactions.
p.7
Current Distribution in Porous Electrodes
What are the two types of current distribution in battery systems?
Primary and secondary current distribution.
p.9
Battery Types: Primary and Secondary Batteries
What are the basic elements of a battery?
Anode, cathode, and electrolyte.
p.6
Experimental Techniques for Analyzing Electrochemical Systems
What experimental technique is commonly used to study electrochemical reactions?
Direct measurement of the instantaneous current-voltage characteristics on discharge curves.
p.2
Comparison of Batteries, Fuel Cells, and Supercapacitors
What distinguishes fuel cells from batteries in terms of energy storage and conversion?
Fuel cells are open systems where energy storage and conversion occur in separate compartments, while batteries store and convert energy in the same compartment.
p.10
Battery Types: Primary and Secondary Batteries
What occurs during the discharge reaction of a CuS electrode in a Li-CuS cell?
Cu is displaced by Li, forming stable products Li2S and Cu.
p.10
Battery Types: Primary and Secondary Batteries
What is a safety concern associated with lithium electrode redeposition?
The redeposition is rough, mossy, and dendritic, which may cause safety problems.
p.3
Comparison of Batteries, Fuel Cells, and Supercapacitors
What type of batteries exhibit power characteristics similar to supercapacitors?
Hybrid systems such as metal/air batteries.
p.5
Kinetics of Battery and Fuel Cell Reactions
What are the three different kinetics effects for polarization in batteries?
Activation polarization, ohmic polarization, and concentration polarization.
p.4
Battery Types: Primary and Secondary Batteries
What is the function of an electrolyte in a battery?
An electrolyte provides pure ionic conductivity between the positive and negative electrodes of a cell.
p.3
Battery Types: Primary and Secondary Batteries
What is the practical energy content of a rechargeable battery compared to its theoretical value?
About 25% of its theoretical value.
p.4
Fuel Cell Technology and Market Aspects
What is a fuel cell?
A fuel cell is an electrochemical conversion device that has a continuous supply of fuel and an oxidant.
p.9
Market Trends and Applications of Battery Technologies
What is the size range of batteries mentioned in the text?
From the size of an aspirin tablet (a few tens of mAh) to a building (40 MWh).
p.4
Kinetics of Battery and Fuel Cell Reactions
What is the definition of open-circuit voltage?
Open-circuit voltage is the voltage across the terminals of a cell or battery when no external current flows.
p.5
Kinetics of Battery and Fuel Cell Reactions
What is the relationship between heat release and battery operation?
Heat is released inside the battery at the reaction site during charge or discharge.
p.10
Battery Types: Primary and Secondary Batteries
What happens if the voltage limit in organic electrolytes is exceeded?
It results in polymerization or decomposition of the solvent system.
p.2
Fuel Cell Technology and Market Aspects
What are the active masses in fuel cells?
Active masses are delivered from outside the cell, such as oxygen from the air or fuels like hydrogen and hydrocarbons.
p.1
Kinetics of Battery and Fuel Cell Reactions
What processes generate electrical energy in batteries and fuel cells?
Redox reactions at the anode and cathode.
p.4
Battery Types: Primary and Secondary Batteries
What does the cathode do in a battery?
The cathode is the positive electrode associated with reductive chemical reactions that gain electrons from the external circuit.
p.9
Market Trends and Applications of Battery Technologies
What market segment for batteries has experienced double-digit growth?
Batteries for notebook computers.
p.1
Comparison of Batteries, Fuel Cells, and Supercapacitors
What common feature do batteries, fuel cells, and supercapacitors share?
They all consist of two electrodes in contact with an electrolyte solution.
p.8
Comparison of Batteries, Fuel Cells, and Supercapacitors
What are the advantages of batteries compared to other energy sources?
Operate over a wide temperature range, can deliver high current pulses, and do not require pumps or filters.
p.8
Comparison of Batteries, Fuel Cells, and Supercapacitors
What are some disadvantages of batteries?
Low energy content compared to gasoline, expensive compared to coal and gasoline, and no single general-purpose system.
p.7
Current Distribution in Porous Electrodes
How does porosity affect the surface area for reactions in battery electrodes?
It increases the effective active surface area, lowering polarization.
p.6
Kinetics of Battery and Fuel Cell Reactions
How does concentration polarization occur?
It arises from limited mass transport capabilities, such as limited diffusion of active species to and from the electrode surface.
p.7
Current Distribution in Porous Electrodes
What is the significance of bipolar construction in battery design?
It provides uniform current distribution, enhancing efficiency.
p.9
Kinetics of Battery and Fuel Cell Reactions
What is the function of the electrolyte in a battery?
It provides ionic conduction and physically separates the anode from the cathode.
p.9
Thermodynamics in Electrochemical Reactions
What is the electrochemical stability window for aqueous electrolytes?
1.23 V, which may expand to approximately 2 V due to kinetic effects.
p.8
Kinetics of Battery and Fuel Cell Reactions
What is the effect of incorporating porous electrode structures?
It increases the surface area and shortens diffusion path lengths to the reaction site.
p.8
Battery Types: Primary and Secondary Batteries
What are the three general classes of batteries?
Primary batteries, secondary rechargeable batteries, and specialty batteries.
p.8
Battery Types: Primary and Secondary Batteries
What is a secondary battery?
A rechargeable battery that can be discharged and restored to its original condition by reversing the current flow.
p.8
Experimental Techniques for Analyzing Electrochemical Systems
What role does modeling play in battery technology?
Modeling helps in developing new battery technology and improving the performance of existing systems.
p.6
Kinetics of Battery and Fuel Cell Reactions
What is the significance of the exchange current density in electrode reactions?
It is directly related to the reaction rate constant, the activities of reactants and products, and the potential drop across the double layer.
p.2
Fuel Cell Technology and Market Aspects
What are the limitations of fuel cells compared to batteries?
Fuel cells have higher costs, inferior power and energy performance, and insufficient durability and lifetime.
p.3
Thermodynamics in Electrochemical Reactions
What are some factors that contribute to the difference between theoretical and practical energy storage capabilities?
Inert parts, internal resistances, and limited utilization of active masses.
p.6
Kinetics of Battery and Fuel Cell Reactions
What causes ohmic polarization in electrochemical systems?
It arises from the resistance of the electrolyte, conductive diluent, and materials of construction of electrodes and current collectors.
p.3
Fuel Cell Technology and Market Aspects
Why are fuel cells considered for replacement of combustion engines?
They offer better energy efficiency and higher energy content compared to batteries.
p.5
Kinetics of Battery and Fuel Cell Reactions
What can happen if high-rate batteries fail to dissipate heat properly?
It can lead to thermal runaway and other catastrophic situations.
p.6
Experimental Techniques for Analyzing Electrochemical Systems
What is the characteristic behavior of activation processes in impedance analysis?
They exhibit a semicircular behavior with frequency, characteristic of relaxation processes.
p.8
Kinetics of Battery and Fuel Cell Reactions
What factors influence the location of the reaction site inside a porous electrode?
Conductivity of the electrode matrix, electrolyte conductivity, exchange current, diffusion characteristics, and total current flow.
p.8
Kinetics of Battery and Fuel Cell Reactions
What parameters are used to estimate the effectiveness of a porous electrode?
Active surface area (S) and penetration depth (L_P) of the reaction process.
p.10
Battery Types: Primary and Secondary Batteries
What are solid electrolyte batteries primarily used for?
As power sources for heart pacemakers and military applications.
p.5
Kinetics of Battery and Fuel Cell Reactions
What do Faraday's laws describe in electrochemical reactions?
The direct relationship between the amount of reaction and the current flow.
p.5
Kinetics of Battery and Fuel Cell Reactions
What is the significance of the Nernst equation in electrochemical reactions?
It relates the cell voltage to the concentrations of reactants and products.
p.5
Kinetics of Battery and Fuel Cell Reactions
What happens to cells with a positive dE/dT during charge and discharge?
They heat on charge and cool on discharge.
p.2
Electrochemical Capacitors: Characteristics and Applications
How do electrochemical capacitors (supercapacitors) store energy?
They store energy through the orientation of electrolyte ions at the electrolyte/electrolyte interface, forming electrical double layers (EDLs).
p.7
Experimental Techniques for Analyzing Electrochemical Systems
What are some nondestructive experimental techniques for analyzing battery cells?
Charge-discharge and impedance techniques.
p.4
Battery Types: Primary and Secondary Batteries
What is the role of the anode in a battery?
The anode is the negative electrode associated with oxidative chemical reactions that release electrons into the external circuit.
p.2
Market Trends and Applications of Battery Technologies
What is the primary market position of batteries compared to supercapacitors and fuel cells?
Batteries have found the most application markets and have an established market position.
p.1
Kinetics of Battery and Fuel Cell Reactions
What are the roles of the anode and cathode in electrochemical systems?
The anode is the more negative electrode where oxidation occurs, while the cathode is the more positive electrode where reduction occurs.
p.2
Market Trends and Applications of Battery Technologies
What are the future market prospects for fuel cells and supercapacitors?
They aim to compete with or replace batteries in several application areas.
p.8
Market Trends and Applications of Battery Technologies
What are some applications that drive the battery market?
Automobiles, cellular phones, notebook computers, and other portable electronic devices.
p.9
Market Trends and Applications of Battery Technologies
How does the automobile SLI market segment grow?
In line with the gross national product.
p.1
Kinetics of Battery and Fuel Cell Reactions
What is the significance of electron and ion transport in electrochemical systems?
Electron and ion transport are separated, which is crucial for the energy-providing processes at the electrode/electrolyte interface.
p.1
Introduction to Electrochemical Energy Systems
Why is electrochemical energy production considered a sustainable alternative?
It is designed to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly compared to fossil fuel combustion.
p.3
Battery Types: Primary and Secondary Batteries
What is a primary battery?
A cell or group of cells intended to be used until exhausted and then discarded.
p.7
Current Distribution in Porous Electrodes
What influences primary current distribution in battery electrodes?
Cell geometry and the placement of current collectors.
p.4
Thermodynamics in Electrochemical Reactions
What does a negative free energy indicate in a spontaneous process?
A negative free energy indicates a spontaneous process with a positive electromotive force (emf).
p.2
Comparison of Batteries, Fuel Cells, and Supercapacitors
What terms are used to compare the energy contents of a system?
Specific energy (Wh/kg) and energy density (Wh/L).
p.3
Battery Types: Primary and Secondary Batteries
What defines a secondary battery?
A cell that can be restored to its original charged condition after being discharged.
p.6
Kinetics of Battery and Fuel Cell Reactions
What is the role of porous electrode structures in batteries?
They extend the available surface area and lower the current density for more efficient operation.
p.4
Thermodynamics in Electrochemical Reactions
What is Gibbs free energy (∆G) in electrochemical reactions?
Gibbs free energy represents the net useful energy available from a given reaction.
p.9
Battery Types: Primary and Secondary Batteries
What types of electrolytes are commonly used in batteries?
Liquid solvent-based electrolytes, which can be aqueous, nonaqueous, or solid.
p.1
Introduction to Electrochemical Energy Systems
What are the implications of energy consumption from fossil fuels?
It is forecast to have a severe future impact on world economics and ecology.
p.2
Comparison of Batteries, Fuel Cells, and Supercapacitors
How are batteries characterized in terms of power and energy?
Batteries have intermediate power and energy characteristics compared to fuel cells and supercapacitors.
p.4
Thermodynamics in Electrochemical Reactions
What does the Faraday constant represent?
The Faraday constant is the amount of charge that transfers when one equivalent weight of active mass reacts.
p.6
Experimental Techniques for Analyzing Electrochemical Systems
What does the impedance behavior of a battery reveal?
It provides significant information about battery operation characteristics.
p.2
Comparison of Batteries, Fuel Cells, and Supercapacitors
What does the Ragone plot represent?
It compares the power and energy capabilities of different energy storage systems.
p.4
Kinetics of Battery and Fuel Cell Reactions
What is thermal runaway in battery operations?
Thermal runaway occurs when the battery electrode’s reaction with the electrolyte becomes self-sustaining, leading to safety incidents.
p.9
Kinetics of Battery and Fuel Cell Reactions
What role does the negative electrode play in a battery?
It acts as a good reducing agent (electron donor) such as lithium, zinc, or lead.
p.9
Kinetics of Battery and Fuel Cell Reactions
What happens if the anode and cathode physically touch?
The battery will short, releasing its full energy as heat.
p.9
Kinetics of Battery and Fuel Cell Reactions
What happens to conductivity in organic electrolytes compared to aqueous ones?
Organic electrolytes show lower conductivities due to ion pair formation.
p.7
Kinetics of Battery and Fuel Cell Reactions
What does the Argand diagram represent in battery systems?
The behavior of impedance with frequency for an idealized battery system.
p.6
Experimental Techniques for Analyzing Electrochemical Systems
What is the relationship between frequency and relaxation time in electrochemical systems?
The frequency of the maximum semicircle gives the relaxation time, where τ = 1/fm = RC.
p.1
Comparison of Batteries, Fuel Cells, and Supercapacitors
What is the primary difference between batteries and fuel cells?
Batteries are closed systems that store energy, while fuel cells convert chemical energy to electrical energy continuously.
