Electrochemical Cell Overview
An electrochemical cell is a device that can utilize electrical energy to promote chemical processes inside it or create electrical energy from those reactions. These gadgets can change chemical energy into electrical energy, or the other way around. Galvanic cells, or voltaic cells, are those that may produce an electric current as a result of chemical processes taking place inside them. Alternately, electrolytic cells undergo chemical reactions when an electric current is passed through them.
What is an Electrochemical Cell?
An electrochemical cell is a device that can either produce electrical energy from chemical processes or use chemical reactions to generate electrical power. These cells can also be stimulated with electrical energy to initiate chemical processes. The earliest investigations on the conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy were conducted by Luigi Galvani (1780) and Alessandro Volta (1800), hence the titles Galvanic Cell and Voltaic Cell.
Voltaic or galvanic electrochemical cells are those that produce an electric current; electrolytic cells, on the other hand, are those that produce chemical processes, such as electrolysis. In terms of oxidation and reduction processes, galvanic and electrolytic cells may be thought of as having two half-cells. Below is a schematic showing the components of an electrochemical cell-
Examples of Electrochemical Cell
The typical 1.5-volt cell, which powers numerous electrical devices like TV remote controls and clocks, is an example of an electrochemical cell. Galvanic cells, or voltaic cells, are those that may produce an electric current as a result of chemical processes taking place inside them.
What is Electrochemistry?
The study of chemical reactions that transport electrons is known as electrochemistry. It deals with how electrical energy and chemical transformation interact. Example: Electrochemistry includes the study of Electrochemical cells. Cells that transform chemical energy into electrical energy are involved.
Classifications of Electrochemical Cell
A cathode and an anode are the typical components of an electrochemical cell. The following table lists the main characteristics of the cathode and the anode-
Read more about the Electrochemical Series and Spectrochemical Series.
Types of Electrochemical Cell
There are two main types of Electrochemical Cells, which are as follows-these Electrochemical cellsthis Electrochemical cell
- Electrolytic Cells
- Galvanic Cell (also known as Voltaic Cell)
The fundamental distinctions between electrolytic and galvanic cells are listed in the table below-
What is Salt Bridge?
The salt bridge is a U-shaped tube that is filled with saturated KCL and agar-agar solution and has cotton plugs on both ends that are then inserted into the two containers of the electrochemical cell.
Functions of Salt Bridge in Electrochemical Cell
The following are some of the functions of the salt bridge in electrochemical cellscells-
- Two half-cell solutions are kept electrically neutral by a salt bridge: The salt bridge's primary job is to maintain the cell's electrical neutrality. The cell ceases to function as a result of Zn2+ ions building up in the first container and SO42- ions building up in the second container. The salt bridge simply restarts the cell by supplying cations to the second container to neutralize the SO42- and anions to the first container to neutralize the Zn2+.
- Eliminates Liquid Junction Potential: The salt bridge's third purpose is to reduce or nearly completely eliminate the liquid junction potential that develops due to ion diffusion at the interface between the electrolyte salt solution and the salt bridge's ends.
- Complete the electrical connection using a salt bridge: The salt bridge links the two solutions of the half cells, and a wire connects their electrodes to complete the electrical circuit. The salt bridge completes the circuit as a result.
Uses of Electrochemical Cell
The following are some of the applications of Electrochemical Cells-
- By putting molten sodium chloride in an electrolytic cell and running an electric current through it, metallic sodium may be recovered from the solution.
- Electrolytic cells are used to manufacture high-purity lead, zinc, aluminum, and copper.
- Galvanic cells are a common component of many widely used commercial batteries, including lead-acid batteries.
- In many isolated areas, fuel cells are a valuable kind of electrochemical cell that provides clean energy.
- Many non-ferrous metals are electrorefined using electrolytic cells. In order to electro-wine these metals, they are also used.