This course is intended for chemists, physicists, materials scientists, and engineers with an interest in applying electrochemical impedance techniques to study a broad variety of electrochemical processes. Attendees develop a basic understanding of the technique, the sources of errors in impedance measurements, the manner in which experiments can be optimized to reduce these errors, and the use of graphical methods to interpret measurements in terms of meaningful physical properties. Concepts are illustrated by applications to different systems including corrosion, fuel cells, batteries, and transport through membranes such as skin. A list of suggested references is provided.

This course is the first in a two-course sequence offered by Professor Orazem at alternating ECS meetings. The second course, Advanced Impedance Spectroscopy, introduces model development based on proposed reaction mechanisms, statistical analysis of impedance data, and regression analysis.

Course Outline

• The motivation for using impedance spectroscopy advantages as compared to other transient techniques and the conditions under which its use is ideally suited
• Complex numbers and electrical circuit parameters
• The basic concepts of how impedance is measured
• Proper selection of experimental parameters
• Graphical representation of impedance data, including methods to extract some physically meaningful parameters
• Application of electrical circuit analogues
• An introduction to interpretation based on proposed reaction mechanisms

Instructor: Mark Orazem

0800-1630h*

0800-0900h - Snacks for participants onsite in Vancouver

0900-1200h - Instruction

1200-1330 - Lunch break

1330-1630h - Instruction

*For course participants attending the 241st ECS Meeting, a room is provided on site with breakfast snacks. Participants must bring their own equipment (laptop, headphones, etc.) as instruction is not screened.