2025 (Current Year) Faculty Courses School of Materials and Chemical Technology Department of Materials Science and Engineering Graduate major in Materials Science and Engineering
Catalysis and Electrocatalysis
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Materials Science and Engineering
- Instructor(s)
- Yuta Nabae
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 7-8 Mon
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- MAT.P407
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2025
- Offered quarter
- 2Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 19, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
Study about the basics of catalysis and electrochemistry, and understand the latest research about the electrochemical reduction of oxygen.
Course description and aims
1) Deeply understand the concept of catalysis.
2) Obtain knowledge and concept for advanced research and development of electrocatalysts.
Keywords
Catalysis, Electrocatalysis, Fuel Cells, Oxygen Reduction, Non-Precious-Metal Catalysts
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
All lectures will be given face-to-face.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction to catalysis and catalytic materials | Explain the concept of catalysis and catalytic materials. |
| Class 2 | Basis of electrochemistry | Understand the concept of electrode potential, dynamic electrochemistry, three-electrode cells and cyclic voltammetry. |
| Class 3 | Studies on supported metal catalysts | Explain the methods for the evaluation of specific surface are and catalytic activity. |
| Class 4 | Adsorption energy and volcano plot | Understand the concept of volcano plots and DFT simulation. |
| Class 5 | Rotating ring-disk electrode voltammetry | Study about the RRDE method including the basics such as the Levich equation and advanced theory such as the Nabae model. |
| Class 6 | MEA testing and in-situ spectroscopy | Study about fuel cell testing and in-situ spectroscopy |
| Class 7 | History and recent progress of studies on Pt-free electrocatalysts | Explain the history and recent progress of studies on Pt-free electrocatalysts |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
No particular text book.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
PDF will be provided.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Evaluation will be based on the mini-exam and term-end report.
Related courses
- ENR.A404 ： Interdisciplinary principles of energy devices 2
Prerequisites
No particular requirements.