Gas Diffusion Electrochemical Cell (Advanced Multifunctional), Model: EC-GDE5

Description

Product Overview

The EC-GDE5 is a modular electrochemical platform designed for gas-fed electrocatalysis and advanced reactor studies. Its sandwich architecture can be reconfigured for gas-diffusion, solid-electrolyte, membrane-electrode-assembly and metal-air operation. A compact 1.2 mm anode-cathode gap shortens the ionic transport path, supporting reduced cell resistance, controlled mass transport and medium-to-high-current-density testing.

Key Features

• Four-Mode Modular Architecture: Interchangeable sandwich components support four configurable operating modes within a single platform, enabling rapid reconfiguration for diverse electrochemical studies while reducing the need for multiple dedicated reactors.
• Compact 1.2 mm Electrode Gap: The shortened ionic transport path helps reduce ohmic loss and supports controlled medium-to-high-current-density testing.
• Robust Titanium-PEEK Construction: High-purity titanium and chemically resistant PEEK provide durable construction for repeated assembly and operation across different electrolyte environments.

Technical Specifications

Chamber structure	Three-chamber (standard); mode-dependent configuration
Electrode system	Three-electrode (standard); two-electrode in MEA and metal-air modes
Anode-cathode gap	1.2 mm
Active area	1 cm² (10 x 10 mm, customizable)
Working electrode	Sheet-type gas diffusion electrode
Reference electrode	Rod-type Ag/AgCl electrode
Counter electrode	Sheet-type electrode
Cell body material	Ti + PEEK

Instrument Compatibility

• Gas and Electrolyte Flow Compatibility: Compatible with regulated gas supplies and electrolyte-circulation systems equipped with mass flow controllers, gas flow meters, peristaltic pumps and gas-liquid mixing pumps.
• Potentiostat Compatibility: Compatible with commercial potentiostats supporting three-electrode measurements, including CH Instruments (CHI660E, CHI760E, CHI1140C), Bio-Logic (VMP3), Corrtest Instruments (CS350M), Ivium Technologies (CompactStat.e20250), and Metrohm Autolab (PGSTAT204).

Configurable Operating Modes

• CO₂-Reduction Gas-Diffusion Mode: Humidified CO₂ is supplied directly to the gas diffusion electrode, while catholyte and anolyte circulate through separated chambers. A 45° reference-electrode port facilitates bubble release, supporting stable three-electrode measurements with reduced bubble interference.

• Solid-Electrolyte Mode: Ion-exchange resin replaces the conventional liquid electrolyte in the central chamber, while paired membranes separate the gas-fed cathode and anode. Serpentine channels increase gas residence time, and pure water carries liquid products out of the reactor for direct collection with minimal supporting-electrolyte contamination.

• Membrane-Electrode-Assembly Mode: Removing the central catholyte and reference electrode sections creates a compact two-plate MEA configuration. The gas diffusion electrode, ion-exchange membrane and porous anode form a close-contact assembly, while serpentine channels extend gas residence time for controlled, long duration electrolysis.

• Metal-Air Battery Mode: Carbon paper is positioned between the gas and electrolyte plates, while zinc or lithium metal is installed in the adjacent compartment. Separate gas and liquid pathways reproduce a classic metal-air architecture for configurable zinc-air and lithium-air testing.

Published Application Example

• Potential-Controlled CO₂ Electroreduction to C₁ and C₂+ Products: The EC-GDE5 provided controlled CO₂ delivery and electrolyte circulation for evaluating Al(OH)₃/CuS gas-diffusion electrodes across different potentials and during extended electrolysis. The platform captured a selectivity shift from HCOOH at −0.8 V versus RHE to C₂+ products at −1.2 V versus RHE. The catalyst achieved a maximum C₂+ Faradaic efficiency of 54%, a C₂+ partial current density of 254 mA cm⁻² and stable operation for 14,400 s.

Reproduced from Zhou, S. et al. Surfaces and Interfaces 2025, 69, 106779. CC BY 4.0.

Demonstrated EC-GDE5 Capabilities

• Supports controlled CO₂ delivery and continuous electrolyte circulation for gas-diffusion-electrode evaluation.
• Enables potential-dependent comparison of product selectivity and partial current density.
• Suitable for medium-to-high-current-density measurements and extended stability testing.

Product Identification Note: EC-GDE5 is the Beyond Battery product code for the same cell reported in the cited publications. The original articles use a different product designation.