De Nora S.p.a.

Other

Khaleda Shaikh

Robert J Allen

Emory Sayre De Castro

James R Giallombardo

Daniel Czerwiec

Michael DeMarinis

Fritz Gestermann

Hans-Dieter Pinter

Gerd Speer

Structures and methods of manufacture for gas diffusion electrodes and electrode components

A process for electrolyzing an aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid to chlorine in an electrochemical cell provided with an anode compartment and a cathode compartment including at least one gas diffusion cathode comprising an electrically conductive web provided on at least one side thereof with a coating of a catalyst for the electroreduction of oxygen comprising rhodium sulfide and optionally containing at least one fluorinated binder incorporated therein, comprising introducing aqueous hydrochloric acid containing contaminant species into the anode compartment and oxygen into the cathode compartment while impressing a direct electric current on the cell.

Process for the electrolysis of technical-grade hydrochloric acid contaminated with organic substances using oxygen-consuming cathodes

Gas Diffusion Electrodes (GDEs) play a pivotal role in clean energy production as well as in electrochemical processes and sensors. These gas-consuming electrodes are typically designed for liquid electrolyte systems, and are commercially manufactured by hand or in a batch process. However, CDEs using the new electrolytes demand improved electrode structures. This invention pertains to GDEs and gas diffusion media with new structures for systems using membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), and automated methods of manufacture that lend themselves to continuous mass production. Unexpected improvements in gas and vapor transport through the electrode are realized by incorporating a new dispersion process in the construction, reformulating the applied mix with solution additives, and creating a novel coating structure on a conductive web. Furthermore, combining these changes with a judicious choice in coating methodology allows one to produce these materials in a continuous, automated fashion.

The invention relates to a novel rhodium sulfide catalyst for the reduction of oxygen in industrial electrolyzers. The catalyst is highly resistant towards corrosion and poisoning by organic species, thus resulting particularly suitable for use in aqueous hydrochloric acid electrolysis, when technical grade acid containing organic contaminants is employed.

Rhodium electrocatalyst and method of preparation

Gas Diffusion Electrodes (GDES) play a pivotal role in clean energy production as well as in electrochemical processes and sensors. These gas-consuming electrodes are typically designed for liquid electrolyte systems such as phosphoric acid and alkaline fuel cells, and are commercially manufactured by hand or in a batch process. However, GDEs using the new electrolytes such as conductive polymer membranes demand improved electrode structures. This invention pertains to GDEs and gas diffusion media with new structures for systems using membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), and automated methods of manufacture that lend themselves to continuous mass production Unexpected improvements in gas and vapor transport through the electrode are realized by incorporating a new dispersion process in the construction, reformulating the applied mix with solution additives, and creating a novel coating structure on a conductive web. Furthermore, combining these changes with a judicious choice in coating methodology allows one to produce these materials in a continuous, automated fashion.

Structures and methods of manufacture for gas diffusion electrodes and

A gas diffusion electrode comprising an electrically conductive web provided on at least one side thereof with a coating containing a rhodium--rhodium oxide catalyst on a carbon black support and a method for the preparation of the rhodium--rhodium oxide catalyst.

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Woburn, MA, United States of America

Khaleda Shaikh