US20050224341A1 - Electrochemical half-cell - Google Patents
Electrochemical half-cell Download PDFInfo
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- US20050224341A1 US20050224341A1 US10/882,644 US88264404A US2005224341A1 US 20050224341 A1 US20050224341 A1 US 20050224341A1 US 88264404 A US88264404 A US 88264404A US 2005224341 A1 US2005224341 A1 US 2005224341A1
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- gas diffusion
- diffusion electrode
- coating
- cell
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
- C25B9/60—Constructional parts of cells
- C25B9/65—Means for supplying current; Electrode connections; Electric inter-cell connections
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B11/00—Electrodes; Manufacture thereof not otherwise provided for
- C25B11/02—Electrodes; Manufacture thereof not otherwise provided for characterised by shape or form
- C25B11/03—Electrodes; Manufacture thereof not otherwise provided for characterised by shape or form perforated or foraminous
- C25B11/031—Porous electrodes
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
- C25B9/17—Cells comprising dimensionally-stable non-movable electrodes; Assemblies of constructional parts thereof
- C25B9/19—Cells comprising dimensionally-stable non-movable electrodes; Assemblies of constructional parts thereof with diaphragms
Definitions
- the invention relates to an electrochemical half-cell, in particular for the electrolysis of an aqueous alkali metal chloride solution.
- DE-A-44 44 114 discloses an electrochemical half-cell for the electrolysis of an aqueous alkali metal chloride solution, with a plurality of gas pockets lying above one another, there being a gas diffusion electrode (“GDE”) between each gas pocket and the electrolyte space.
- GDE gas diffusion electrode
- the gas diffusion electrodes are fastened and sealed to structural elements of the half-cell with the aid of support elements, which are designed for example as terminal strips.
- a particular disadvantage associated with a clamping connection is that sufficient sealing of the gas space from the electrolyte space generally cannot be ensured in the long term. Working lives longer than three years are generally necessary for industrial implementation, since economic viability is difficult to achieve otherwise.
- small pressure surges that occur in the electrolyser can loosen the clamping connection of the GDE. This compromises the integrity of the connection, so that gas from the gas pockets escapes into the electrolyte space or the electrolyte floods the gas pockets.
- EP-A-1 029 946 describes a gas diffusion electrode, having of a reactive layer and a gas diffusion layer and a collector plate, for example, a silver mesh.
- the coating does not completely cover the collector plate, but leaves a coating-free edge protruding.
- a thin metal plate in the form of a frame, preferably made of silver, is applied to the gas diffusion electrode so that the metal frame covers as small as possible an area of the electrochemically active coating.
- the frame protruding from the gas diffusion electrode is used for connecting the gas diffusion electrode to the housing of the half-cell, for example, by welding.
- This method of making contact is complicated and covers up some of the GDE surface, so that the local current density of the free GDE surface is increased and the performance of the electrolyser is reduced owing to a higher electrolysis voltage.
- the complicated installation furthermore entails high manufacturing costs of the electrolyser.
- EP-A 1 041 176 also describes a gas diffusion electrode with a coating-free edge.
- the gas diffusion electrode in this case is shown connected to the current collector frame of the cathode half-cell by welding in the coating-free edge region.
- the cavities between two neighboring gas diffusion electrodes are sealed with an alkali-resistant material.
- a disadvantage of this installation method relates to problems with the sealing material required to obtain sufficient sealing. The sealing effect decreases over the course of operation of the electrolyser, so that the useful life is insufficient terms of economics.
- Low-impedance connections can generally be produced by short current paths, as mentioned, for example, in the DE-A-44 44 114.
- a low-impedance connection may also be obtained by a metal-metal contact, e.g. when the two or more metals are connected by soldering or welding. Therefore, the substrate of the GDE is optimally connected to a support structure of the electrolyser using a low-impedance connection made by welding or soldering. However, an effective seal also has to be achieved as well.
- a gas diffusion electrode of the present invention is preferably configured so that gas from the gas pocket cannot enter the electrolyte space and electrolyte from the electrolyte space cannot enter the gas pocket.
- any loss of electrochemically active area of the gas diffusion electrode should preferably be as small as possible.
- the installation should preferably be as easy as possible to carry out logistically and/or technically.
- the present invention relates to an electrochemical half-cell comprising (i) at least one gas space, (ii) an electrolyte space and (iii) a gas diffusion electrode in the form of a cathode or anode, which separates the gas space from the electrolyte space.
- the electrode comprises at least an electrically conductive substrate and an electrochemically active coating.
- the gas diffusion electrode also has a coating-free edge region and it is connected to a support structure.
- the connection to the support structure is preferably in a coating-free edge region and is advantageously made with an electrically conductive plate which covers at least the coating-free edge region as well as an edge region that includes the electrochemically active coating thereon.
- FIG. 1 shows a schematic detail of a first embodiment of the half-cell according to the invention
- FIG. 2 shows a schematic detail of a second embodiment with a seal
- FIG. 3 shows a schematic detail of a third embodiment with a wedge-shaped spacer.
- An electrochemical half-cell according to the invention preferably comprises at least a gas space, which is divided into a plurality of gas pockets lying above one another. Each gas pocket is preferably separated from the electrolyte space by a gas diffusion electrode.
- the half-cell can be used, in particular, as a cathode half-cell for the electrolysis of aqueous alkali metal chloride solutions.
- the electrolyte space is filled with the electrolyte, for example, an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution.
- Gas diffusion electrodes can be used as oxygen-consuming cathodes. Gas, (e.g. air or oxygen) flows through the gas pockets.
- the gas is preferably introduced into a lower or a lowermost gas pocket and flows from there into gas pockets lying above in a cascade fashion. Excess gas can be discharged from an upper or an uppermost gas pocket.
- a suitable mode of operation for an electrolysis cell with a gas diffusion electrode according to the pressure compensation principle is described, for example, in DE-A44 44 114, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- the gas diffusion electrode preferably includes an electrically conductive substrate and an electrochemically active coating.
- the electrically conductive substrate is preferably a gauze, fabric, lattice, mesh, non-woven or foam made of metal, especially nickel, silver or silver-coated nickel or any desired material.
- the electrochemically active coating preferably comprises a catalyst, for example silver(I) oxide, and a binder, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
- PTFE polytetrafluoroethylene
- the electrochemically active coating may be made up of one or more layers. It is also possible to provide a gas diffusion layer, for example, one made of a mixture of carbon and polytetrafluoroethylene, which can be applied to the substrate.
- a representative method for making such a gas diffusion electrode is disclosed, for example, in DE-A-37 10 168, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- the coating compound penetrates the cavities of the substrate and covers the substrate.
- the gas diffusion electrode of an electrochemical half-cell according to the present invention preferably has a coating-free edge region on all sides (generally four).
- the coating-free edge region preferably measures from 2 to 10 mm, particularly preferably from 4 to 8 mm.
- the electrochemically active coating can be removed from the edge region, together with other coatings if there are any.
- the gas diffusion electrode can advantageously be placed on the support structure.
- the support structure preferably is made of the same material as that from which the half-shells of the electrolysis half-elements are made, for example, nickel in the case of chloralkali electrolysis.
- the support structure can typically be in the form of a frame and spatially delimits the gas pocket in conjunction with the gas diffusion electrode and the back wall of the gas pocket.
- the electrically conductive substrate of the gas diffusion electrode preferably rests on the support structure to an extent such that the substrate covers the support structure not only in the coating-free edge region, but also in a coated edge region.
- the gas diffusion electrode preferably covers the support structure as far as a coated edge region measuring from about 2 to about 8 mm, particularly preferably from about 2 to about 5 mm.
- the substrate of the gas diffusion electrode therefore preferably covers the support structure overall in a region of from 4 to 18 mm, particularly preferably from 2 to 13 mm.
- an electrically conductive plate preferably made of metal, especially nickel, is placed on both a coating-free edge region, i.e. the uncoated electrically conductive substrate, as well on a coated edge region.
- the coated edge region which is covered by the electrically conductive plate preferably measures from about 1 to about 10 mm.
- the plate may optionally protrude beyond the substrate of the gas diffusion electrode in a region of preferably at most about 5 mm, particularly preferably at most about 3 mm. In this way, the plate can make contact with the support structure.
- the width of the electrically conductive plate is therefore preferably from about 3 to about 21 mm.
- the plate is typically pressed rather firmly onto the gas diffusion electrode and the support structure, since sufficient contact between the gas diffusion electrode and the support structure is often desirable to obtain adequate sealing and supply of current.
- a gas diffusion electrode of the present invention is preferably connected to the support structure and the plate by a weld.
- the weld can be formed of any desired material and the formation of the weld can be conducted in the vicinity of the coating-free edge of the gas diffusion electrode.
- Laser welding or ultrasonic welding is preferably used.
- the ratio of the thickness of the plate to the distance between the plate and the substrate should generally be considered.
- the ratio is preferably less than 0.5, particularly preferably less than 0.2. If the distance between the plate and the substrate is comparatively large, for example, when a comparatively thick coating is provided on the substrate, then this large distance can be compensated, for example, by employing a thicker plate.
- the thickness of the coating which is applied to the electrically conductive substrate should also generally be considered. If the part of the coating that rests on the substrate is larger than about 0.5 mm, and if the distance between the plate and the substrate cannot be reduced to preferably less than about 1 mm, particularly preferably less than about 0.5 mm, by pressing on the plate, then a wedge-shaped spacer can advantageously be inserted if desired between the plate and the substrate. As an alternative, it is also possible to use a thicker plate without a spacer or compensate in any way desired, if beneficial for any reason.
- the electrically conductive plate preferably has a thickness of from about 0.05 to about 2 mm in some embodiments.
- the plate preferably extends in the form of a frame around the gas diffusion electrode.
- a plurality of plates in the form of strips which, for example, overlap at their ends or are butted or mitred. They then likewise can form a complete frame around the gas diffusion electrode for sealing in some embodiments.
- a seal can be provided in the vicinity of the surface where the gas diffusion electrode, or the electrically conductive substrate, rests on the support structure.
- the seal preferably lies between the support structure and the substrate.
- the coating in addition or as an alternative to the seal, can be rendered at least partially or completely hydrophilic in the edge region which is covered by the plate in order to produce a gas-tight connection.
- the hydrophilisation employed to render the coating hydrophilic can be conducted, for example, by applying a solution containing surfactant to the surface of the coating, so that the electrolyte penetrates the coating and provides sealing by capillary action.
- An advantage of the half-cell according to the invention is that the gas diffusion electrode is electrically connected to the support structure via an electrically conductive plate while, at the same time, the gas space is sealed off from the electrolyte space so that substantially little or no electrolyte can enter the gas space and substantially little or no gas can enter the electrolyte space.
- the inventive arrangement it is possible to reduce the amount electrochemically active area of the gas diffusion electrode that is lost during installation. If the loss of electrochemically active area is too large the difference between the anode area and the area of the gas diffusion electrode may also be too large. As a consequence, the electrolysis cell would have to be operated with an increased current density, and therefore an increased voltage, especially in the case of retrofitting a membrane system for GDE operation, if a commensurate reduction in the production capacity is not made.
- FIG. 1 shows a gas space 2 of the electrochemical half-cell with a support structure 1 at the edge of the gas space 2 .
- a gas diffusion electrode 6 consisting of an electrically conductive substrate 5 and an electrochemically active coating 4 , rests on the support structure 1 .
- the support structure 1 , the gas diffusion electrode 6 and the back wall 11 form the gas space 2 as a gas pocket.
- the gas diffusion electrode 6 has a coating-free edge region 8 , where the coating has been removed and the substrate 5 is exposed.
- the coating 4 penetrates through the substrate 5 and covers it.
- the coating-free edge 8 of the gas diffusion electrode 6 and the coated edge region 7 rest on the support structure 1 .
- An electrically conductive plate 3 rests on the gas diffusion electrode 6 so that it covers the coating-free edge 8 and the coated edge region 7 . It furthermore protrudes beyond the coating-free edge 8 , where it comes to lie on the support structure 1 .
- the plate 3 is connected to the gas diffusion electrode 6 and the support structure 1 , preferably by a weld.
- FIG. 2 represents another embodiment, with components which are the same or similar having the same reference numbers.
- the embodiment differs from the one represented in FIG. 1 in that a seal 9 is provided between the support structure 1 and the gas diffusion electrode 6 .
- a wedge-shaped spacer 10 is inserted between the electrically conductive plate 3 and the coating-free edge 8 .
- a spacer 10 is to be provided when the coating 4 of the gas diffusion electrode 6 is so thick that the distance between the plate 3 and the substrate 5 is too great for the plate 3 to be connected to the gas diffusion electrode 6 and the support structure 1 .
- a gas diffusion electrode of an electrically conductive substrate and an electrochemically active layer made of a mixture of silver (I) oxide and PTFE was employed.
- the substrate of the gas diffusion electrode included a nickel gauze, in which the wire thickness was 0.14 mm and the mesh width was 0.5 mm.
- the layer containing silver (I) oxide/PTFE was removed from the gas diffusion electrode in an edge region measuring 4 mm.
- a PTFE seal was placed between the support structure and the gas diffusion electrode.
- a metal strip made of nickel with a thickness of 1 mm and a width of 8 mm was positioned so as to cover the coating-free edge completely, as well as an edge region of the gas diffusion electrode measuring 4 mm. The nickel strip was then pressed onto the support structure and connected to the substrate and the support structure by laser welding.
- a gas diffusion electrode was used which had two layers: a gas diffusion layer, consisting of PTFE and carbon, and an electrochemically active layer, of PTFE, carbon and silver.
- the electrically conductive substrate of the gas diffusion electrode included a gauze made of silver-coated nickel, in which the wire thickness was 0.16 mm and the mesh width was 0.46 mm.
- the coating which included a gas diffusion layer and an electrochemically active layer, was removed from the gas diffusion electrode in an edge region measuring 4 mm.
- a PTFE seal was placed between the support structure and the gas diffusion electrode. The coating was rendered hydrophilic in an edge region of the gas diffusion electrode.
- a metal strip made of nickel with a thickness of 1 mm and a width of 8 mm was positioned so as to cover the coating-free edge completely, as well as an edge region of the gas diffusion electrode measuring 4 mm. The nickel strip was then pressed onto the support structure and connected to the substrate and the support structure by laser welding.
- a solution containing surfactant here Triton®-X-100 solution, Merck, was used by any other type can also be used if desired.
Abstract
Description
- The present invention claims priority under 35 USC 119 to German Application No. 10330232.8 filed Jul. 4, 2003, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The invention relates to an electrochemical half-cell, in particular for the electrolysis of an aqueous alkali metal chloride solution.
- 2. Description of Related Art
- DE-A-44 44 114 discloses an electrochemical half-cell for the electrolysis of an aqueous alkali metal chloride solution, with a plurality of gas pockets lying above one another, there being a gas diffusion electrode (“GDE”) between each gas pocket and the electrolyte space. The gas diffusion electrodes are fastened and sealed to structural elements of the half-cell with the aid of support elements, which are designed for example as terminal strips. A particular disadvantage associated with a clamping connection is that sufficient sealing of the gas space from the electrolyte space generally cannot be ensured in the long term. Working lives longer than three years are generally necessary for industrial implementation, since economic viability is difficult to achieve otherwise. Furthermore, small pressure surges that occur in the electrolyser can loosen the clamping connection of the GDE. This compromises the integrity of the connection, so that gas from the gas pockets escapes into the electrolyte space or the electrolyte floods the gas pockets.
- EP-A-1 029 946 describes a gas diffusion electrode, having of a reactive layer and a gas diffusion layer and a collector plate, for example, a silver mesh. The coating does not completely cover the collector plate, but leaves a coating-free edge protruding. A thin metal plate in the form of a frame, preferably made of silver, is applied to the gas diffusion electrode so that the metal frame covers as small as possible an area of the electrochemically active coating. The frame protruding from the gas diffusion electrode is used for connecting the gas diffusion electrode to the housing of the half-cell, for example, by welding. This method of making contact is complicated and covers up some of the GDE surface, so that the local current density of the free GDE surface is increased and the performance of the electrolyser is reduced owing to a higher electrolysis voltage. The complicated installation furthermore entails high manufacturing costs of the electrolyser.
- EP-
A 1 041 176 also describes a gas diffusion electrode with a coating-free edge. The gas diffusion electrode in this case is shown connected to the current collector frame of the cathode half-cell by welding in the coating-free edge region. The cavities between two neighboring gas diffusion electrodes are sealed with an alkali-resistant material. A disadvantage of this installation method relates to problems with the sealing material required to obtain sufficient sealing. The sealing effect decreases over the course of operation of the electrolyser, so that the useful life is insufficient terms of economics. - Since the gas diffusion electrode needs to be connected to the electrolyser, a low-impedance connection should typically be ensured, especially for industrial application. Even very minor junction resistances can lead to significant economic disadvantages in industrial electrolysis. Low-impedance connections can generally be produced by short current paths, as mentioned, for example, in the DE-A-44 44 114. A low-impedance connection may also be obtained by a metal-metal contact, e.g. when the two or more metals are connected by soldering or welding. Therefore, the substrate of the GDE is optimally connected to a support structure of the electrolyser using a low-impedance connection made by welding or soldering. However, an effective seal also has to be achieved as well.
- It was an object of the present invention to provide a gas diffusion electrode in an electrochemical half-cell with low-impedance, i.e. the electrode is included in such a way that the cell possesses a low, or even the lowest possible resistance, while, at the same time, providing a seal between the gas space and the electrolyte space. A gas diffusion electrode of the present invention is preferably configured so that gas from the gas pocket cannot enter the electrolyte space and electrolyte from the electrolyte space cannot enter the gas pocket. At the same time, any loss of electrochemically active area of the gas diffusion electrode should preferably be as small as possible. Furthermore, the installation should preferably be as easy as possible to carry out logistically and/or technically.
- In accordance with one or more of these objects and others, the present invention relates to an electrochemical half-cell comprising (i) at least one gas space, (ii) an electrolyte space and (iii) a gas diffusion electrode in the form of a cathode or anode, which separates the gas space from the electrolyte space. The electrode comprises at least an electrically conductive substrate and an electrochemically active coating. The gas diffusion electrode also has a coating-free edge region and it is connected to a support structure. The connection to the support structure is preferably in a coating-free edge region and is advantageously made with an electrically conductive plate which covers at least the coating-free edge region as well as an edge region that includes the electrochemically active coating thereon.
- Additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Objects, features and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combination particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
- The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 shows a schematic detail of a first embodiment of the half-cell according to the invention;FIG. 2 shows a schematic detail of a second embodiment with a seal;FIG. 3 shows a schematic detail of a third embodiment with a wedge-shaped spacer. - An electrochemical half-cell according to the invention preferably comprises at least a gas space, which is divided into a plurality of gas pockets lying above one another. Each gas pocket is preferably separated from the electrolyte space by a gas diffusion electrode. The half-cell can be used, in particular, as a cathode half-cell for the electrolysis of aqueous alkali metal chloride solutions. The electrolyte space is filled with the electrolyte, for example, an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution. Gas diffusion electrodes can be used as oxygen-consuming cathodes. Gas, (e.g. air or oxygen) flows through the gas pockets. The gas is preferably introduced into a lower or a lowermost gas pocket and flows from there into gas pockets lying above in a cascade fashion. Excess gas can be discharged from an upper or an uppermost gas pocket. A suitable mode of operation for an electrolysis cell with a gas diffusion electrode according to the pressure compensation principle is described, for example, in DE-A44 44 114, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- The gas diffusion electrode preferably includes an electrically conductive substrate and an electrochemically active coating. The electrically conductive substrate is preferably a gauze, fabric, lattice, mesh, non-woven or foam made of metal, especially nickel, silver or silver-coated nickel or any desired material. The electrochemically active coating preferably comprises a catalyst, for example silver(I) oxide, and a binder, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The electrochemically active coating may be made up of one or more layers. It is also possible to provide a gas diffusion layer, for example, one made of a mixture of carbon and polytetrafluoroethylene, which can be applied to the substrate.
- A representative method for making such a gas diffusion electrode is disclosed, for example, in DE-A-37 10 168, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. When the coating is being applied, the coating compound penetrates the cavities of the substrate and covers the substrate.
- The gas diffusion electrode of an electrochemical half-cell according to the present invention preferably has a coating-free edge region on all sides (generally four). The coating-free edge region preferably measures from 2 to 10 mm, particularly preferably from 4 to 8 mm. In order to produce the coating-free edge region, the electrochemically active coating can be removed from the edge region, together with other coatings if there are any.
- In order to install a gas diffusion electrode in a half-cell of the present invention, the gas diffusion electrode can advantageously be placed on the support structure. The support structure preferably is made of the same material as that from which the half-shells of the electrolysis half-elements are made, for example, nickel in the case of chloralkali electrolysis. As is known from DE-A-44 44 114, the support structure can typically be in the form of a frame and spatially delimits the gas pocket in conjunction with the gas diffusion electrode and the back wall of the gas pocket.
- The electrically conductive substrate of the gas diffusion electrode preferably rests on the support structure to an extent such that the substrate covers the support structure not only in the coating-free edge region, but also in a coated edge region. The gas diffusion electrode preferably covers the support structure as far as a coated edge region measuring from about 2 to about 8 mm, particularly preferably from about 2 to about 5 mm. The substrate of the gas diffusion electrode therefore preferably covers the support structure overall in a region of from 4 to 18 mm, particularly preferably from 2 to 13 mm.
- In order to connect the gas diffusion electrode to the support structure, an electrically conductive plate, preferably made of metal, especially nickel, is placed on both a coating-free edge region, i.e. the uncoated electrically conductive substrate, as well on a coated edge region. The coated edge region which is covered by the electrically conductive plate preferably measures from about 1 to about 10 mm. Furthermore, the plate may optionally protrude beyond the substrate of the gas diffusion electrode in a region of preferably at most about 5 mm, particularly preferably at most about 3 mm. In this way, the plate can make contact with the support structure. The width of the electrically conductive plate is therefore preferably from about 3 to about 21 mm. The plate is typically pressed rather firmly onto the gas diffusion electrode and the support structure, since sufficient contact between the gas diffusion electrode and the support structure is often desirable to obtain adequate sealing and supply of current.
- A gas diffusion electrode of the present invention is preferably connected to the support structure and the plate by a weld. The weld can be formed of any desired material and the formation of the weld can be conducted in the vicinity of the coating-free edge of the gas diffusion electrode. Laser welding or ultrasonic welding is preferably used. In this case, on the one hand, the ratio of the thickness of the plate to the distance between the plate and the substrate should generally be considered. For laser welding particularly, the ratio is preferably less than 0.5, particularly preferably less than 0.2. If the distance between the plate and the substrate is comparatively large, for example, when a comparatively thick coating is provided on the substrate, then this large distance can be compensated, for example, by employing a thicker plate. On the other hand, the thickness of the coating which is applied to the electrically conductive substrate should also generally be considered. If the part of the coating that rests on the substrate is larger than about 0.5 mm, and if the distance between the plate and the substrate cannot be reduced to preferably less than about 1 mm, particularly preferably less than about 0.5 mm, by pressing on the plate, then a wedge-shaped spacer can advantageously be inserted if desired between the plate and the substrate. As an alternative, it is also possible to use a thicker plate without a spacer or compensate in any way desired, if beneficial for any reason.
- The electrically conductive plate preferably has a thickness of from about 0.05 to about 2 mm in some embodiments.
- The plate preferably extends in the form of a frame around the gas diffusion electrode. As an alternative, it is also possible to use a plurality of plates in the form of strips which, for example, overlap at their ends or are butted or mitred. They then likewise can form a complete frame around the gas diffusion electrode for sealing in some embodiments.
- In a preferred embodiment, a seal can be provided in the vicinity of the surface where the gas diffusion electrode, or the electrically conductive substrate, rests on the support structure. The seal preferably lies between the support structure and the substrate.
- In another preferred embodiment, in addition or as an alternative to the seal, the coating can be rendered at least partially or completely hydrophilic in the edge region which is covered by the plate in order to produce a gas-tight connection. The hydrophilisation employed to render the coating hydrophilic can be conducted, for example, by applying a solution containing surfactant to the surface of the coating, so that the electrolyte penetrates the coating and provides sealing by capillary action.
- An advantage of the half-cell according to the invention is that the gas diffusion electrode is electrically connected to the support structure via an electrically conductive plate while, at the same time, the gas space is sealed off from the electrolyte space so that substantially little or no electrolyte can enter the gas space and substantially little or no gas can enter the electrolyte space. By using the inventive arrangement, it is possible to reduce the amount electrochemically active area of the gas diffusion electrode that is lost during installation. If the loss of electrochemically active area is too large the difference between the anode area and the area of the gas diffusion electrode may also be too large. As a consequence, the electrolysis cell would have to be operated with an increased current density, and therefore an increased voltage, especially in the case of retrofitting a membrane system for GDE operation, if a commensurate reduction in the production capacity is not made.
-
FIG. 1 shows agas space 2 of the electrochemical half-cell with asupport structure 1 at the edge of thegas space 2. Agas diffusion electrode 6, consisting of an electricallyconductive substrate 5 and an electrochemicallyactive coating 4, rests on thesupport structure 1. Thesupport structure 1, thegas diffusion electrode 6 and theback wall 11 form thegas space 2 as a gas pocket. - The
gas diffusion electrode 6 has a coating-free edge region 8, where the coating has been removed and thesubstrate 5 is exposed. Thecoating 4 penetrates through thesubstrate 5 and covers it. The coating-free edge 8 of thegas diffusion electrode 6 and thecoated edge region 7 rest on thesupport structure 1. An electricallyconductive plate 3 rests on thegas diffusion electrode 6 so that it covers the coating-free edge 8 and thecoated edge region 7. It furthermore protrudes beyond the coating-free edge 8, where it comes to lie on thesupport structure 1. In the vicinity of the coating-free edge 8, theplate 3 is connected to thegas diffusion electrode 6 and thesupport structure 1, preferably by a weld. -
FIG. 2 represents another embodiment, with components which are the same or similar having the same reference numbers. The embodiment differs from the one represented inFIG. 1 in that aseal 9 is provided between thesupport structure 1 and thegas diffusion electrode 6. - In a third embodiment in
FIG. 3 , components which are the same or similar are likewise provided with the same reference numbers. In comparison with the embodiment shown inFIG. 1 , a wedge-shapedspacer 10 is inserted between the electricallyconductive plate 3 and the coating-free edge 8. Aspacer 10 is to be provided when thecoating 4 of thegas diffusion electrode 6 is so thick that the distance between theplate 3 and thesubstrate 5 is too great for theplate 3 to be connected to thegas diffusion electrode 6 and thesupport structure 1. - A gas diffusion electrode of an electrically conductive substrate and an electrochemically active layer made of a mixture of silver (I) oxide and PTFE was employed. The substrate of the gas diffusion electrode included a nickel gauze, in which the wire thickness was 0.14 mm and the mesh width was 0.5 mm. The layer containing silver (I) oxide/PTFE was removed from the gas diffusion electrode in an edge region measuring 4 mm. A PTFE seal was placed between the support structure and the gas diffusion electrode. A metal strip made of nickel with a thickness of 1 mm and a width of 8 mm was positioned so as to cover the coating-free edge completely, as well as an edge region of the gas diffusion electrode measuring 4 mm. The nickel strip was then pressed onto the support structure and connected to the substrate and the support structure by laser welding.
- A gas diffusion electrode was used which had two layers: a gas diffusion layer, consisting of PTFE and carbon, and an electrochemically active layer, of PTFE, carbon and silver. The electrically conductive substrate of the gas diffusion electrode included a gauze made of silver-coated nickel, in which the wire thickness was 0.16 mm and the mesh width was 0.46 mm. The coating, which included a gas diffusion layer and an electrochemically active layer, was removed from the gas diffusion electrode in an edge region measuring 4 mm. A PTFE seal was placed between the support structure and the gas diffusion electrode. The coating was rendered hydrophilic in an edge region of the gas diffusion electrode. To this end, it was coated with a solution containing surfactant (here Triton®-X-100 solution, Merck, was used by any other type can also be used if desired). A metal strip made of nickel with a thickness of 1 mm and a width of 8 mm was positioned so as to cover the coating-free edge completely, as well as an edge region of the gas diffusion electrode measuring 4 mm. The nickel strip was then pressed onto the support structure and connected to the substrate and the support structure by laser welding.
- Additional advantages, features and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, and representative devices, shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
- All documents referred to herein are specifically incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
- As used herein and in the following claims, articles such as “the”, “a” and “an” can connote the singular or plural.
Claims (22)
Priority Applications (1)
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US12/141,399 US7691242B2 (en) | 2003-07-04 | 2008-06-18 | Electrochemical half-cell |
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DE10330232.8 | 2003-07-04 | ||
DE10330232A DE10330232A1 (en) | 2003-07-04 | 2003-07-04 | Electrochemical half cell |
Related Child Applications (1)
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US12/141,399 Continuation US7691242B2 (en) | 2003-07-04 | 2008-06-18 | Electrochemical half-cell |
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US20050224341A1 true US20050224341A1 (en) | 2005-10-13 |
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Family Applications (2)
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US10/882,644 Abandoned US20050224341A1 (en) | 2003-07-04 | 2004-07-02 | Electrochemical half-cell |
US12/141,399 Expired - Fee Related US7691242B2 (en) | 2003-07-04 | 2008-06-18 | Electrochemical half-cell |
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US12/141,399 Expired - Fee Related US7691242B2 (en) | 2003-07-04 | 2008-06-18 | Electrochemical half-cell |
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US (2) | US20050224341A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1644556B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4729485B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN1816649B (en) |
AT (1) | ATE541069T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE10330232A1 (en) |
TW (1) | TW200519232A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2005003410A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11136677B2 (en) | 2010-12-10 | 2021-10-05 | Covestro Deutschland Ag | Method for mounting oxygen-consuming electrodes in electrochemical cells and electrochemical cells |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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DE102010062803A1 (en) | 2010-12-10 | 2012-06-14 | Bayer Materialscience Aktiengesellschaft | Method for incorporating oxygen-consuming electrodes into electrochemical cells and electrochemical cells |
DE102011017264A1 (en) | 2011-04-15 | 2012-10-18 | Bayer Material Science Ag | Alternative installation of a gas diffusion electrode in an electrochemical cell |
DE102011100768A1 (en) | 2011-05-06 | 2012-12-06 | Bayer Material Science Ag | Frame-sealed electrochemical cell for alternative sealing against electrolyte flow |
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US5693202A (en) * | 1994-12-12 | 1997-12-02 | Bayer Aktiengesellschaft | Pressure-compensated electrochemical cell |
US5933016A (en) * | 1996-08-30 | 1999-08-03 | The University Of Dayton | Single electrode conductivity technique |
USRE37307E1 (en) * | 1994-11-14 | 2001-08-07 | W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. | Ultra-thin integral composite membrane |
US6399236B1 (en) * | 1999-02-16 | 2002-06-04 | Nagakazu Furuya | Gas diffusion electrode assemblies and processes for producing the same |
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DE3710168A1 (en) | 1987-03-27 | 1988-10-13 | Varta Batterie | Method of fabricating a plastic-bound gas-diffusion electrode with metallic fuel-cell catalysts |
US5547551A (en) * | 1995-03-15 | 1996-08-20 | W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. | Ultra-thin integral composite membrane |
JP3008343B2 (en) * | 1997-02-24 | 2000-02-14 | 日本ピラー工業株式会社 | Expanded graphite sheet and gland packing using the same |
US6372102B1 (en) * | 1998-10-13 | 2002-04-16 | Toagosei Co., Ltd. | Method for reducing charge in gas diffusing electrode and its charge reducing structure |
JP3026264B1 (en) * | 1999-02-16 | 2000-03-27 | 長一 古屋 | Gas diffusion electrode-edge material assembly and its manufacturing method |
DE10152792A1 (en) * | 2001-10-25 | 2003-05-08 | Bayer Ag | Method of integrating a gas diffusion electrode into an electrochemical reaction apparatus |
US7404878B2 (en) * | 2003-03-31 | 2008-07-29 | Chlorine Engineers Corp., Ltd. | Gas diffusion electrode assembly, bonding method for gas diffusion electrodes, and electrolyzer comprising gas diffusion electrodes |
-
2003
- 2003-07-04 DE DE10330232A patent/DE10330232A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2004
- 2004-06-21 JP JP2006518015A patent/JP4729485B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2004-06-21 EP EP04740108A patent/EP1644556B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2004-06-21 WO PCT/EP2004/006667 patent/WO2005003410A1/en active Application Filing
- 2004-06-21 AT AT04740108T patent/ATE541069T1/en active
- 2004-06-21 CN CN2004800190392A patent/CN1816649B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2004-07-02 TW TW093119956A patent/TW200519232A/en unknown
- 2004-07-02 US US10/882,644 patent/US20050224341A1/en not_active Abandoned
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2008
- 2008-06-18 US US12/141,399 patent/US7691242B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USRE37307E1 (en) * | 1994-11-14 | 2001-08-07 | W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. | Ultra-thin integral composite membrane |
US5693202A (en) * | 1994-12-12 | 1997-12-02 | Bayer Aktiengesellschaft | Pressure-compensated electrochemical cell |
US5933016A (en) * | 1996-08-30 | 1999-08-03 | The University Of Dayton | Single electrode conductivity technique |
US6399236B1 (en) * | 1999-02-16 | 2002-06-04 | Nagakazu Furuya | Gas diffusion electrode assemblies and processes for producing the same |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11136677B2 (en) | 2010-12-10 | 2021-10-05 | Covestro Deutschland Ag | Method for mounting oxygen-consuming electrodes in electrochemical cells and electrochemical cells |
Also Published As
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US7691242B2 (en) | 2010-04-06 |
DE10330232A1 (en) | 2005-01-20 |
EP1644556B1 (en) | 2012-01-11 |
US20080296153A1 (en) | 2008-12-04 |
ATE541069T1 (en) | 2012-01-15 |
CN1816649B (en) | 2010-12-15 |
JP4729485B2 (en) | 2011-07-20 |
WO2005003410A1 (en) | 2005-01-13 |
JP2007533841A (en) | 2007-11-22 |
EP1644556A1 (en) | 2006-04-12 |
CN1816649A (en) | 2006-08-09 |
TW200519232A (en) | 2005-06-16 |
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