Abstract

This chapter presents an overview of the basic electrochemistry. Photoelectrochemistry is of interest in the solar energy field because of its utility in converting solar energy to other forms of energy. The photoelectrochemical effect (PEC) is one in which the irradiation of an electrode/electrolyte system produces a change in electrode potential if the circuit is open or a change in the current flow if the circuit is closed. The effect can be because of irradiation of the electrode, the electrolytic solution, or a photosensitive membrane in the solution. Any device exhibiting PEC is a photoelectrochemical cell. This term refers to a large variety of systems including semiconductor–electrode systems and bilayer lipid membrane systems. This chapter presents Ag/AgCl as an example to introduce the concepts and definitions of electrochemistry. It also provides an overview of redox reactions, electrochemical potentials, notation, the Nernst equation, losses, and overvoltages.

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