Electrochemical Device—Basic Components and Operation

An electrochemical device is one in which chemical reactions occur directly with the presence of electrical energy as input energy source or as the output energy (Hamann et al., 2007 Newman and Thomas-Alyea 2004). This device is also referred to as electrolytic cell, electrochemical cell, or galvanic cell and includes devices such as electrolyzer, batteries, and fuel cells. Batteries and fuel cells are electrochemical cells in reverse, known as galvanic cells, producing electricity directly from the chemical energy content of fuel. 

At the interfaces of the electrode-electrolyte or the electronic-ionic conductors, ions are transformed by capture or release of electrons. These reactions at the electrodes are characterized as oxidation reaction and reduction reaction. In an oxidation reaction, electrons are removed or released from 

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