Thermodynamics of electrochemical reactions

Abstract

The wish to determine thermodynamic data of electrochemical reactions and of the involved compounds is one of the most important motivations to perform electrochemical measurements. After calorimetry, electrochemistry is the second most important tool to determine thermodynamic data. Although ab initio quantum chemical calculations can be used for the calculation of thermodynamic data of small molecules, the day is not yet foreseeable when electrochemical experiments will be replaced by such calculations. In this chapter we provide the essential information as to what thermodynamic information can be extracted from electrochemical experiments and what the necessary prerequisites are to do so. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2010.