Gas Diffusion Photoelectrochemical Cell (Replaceable-Membrane Flow Type), Model: EC-GDE-PEC2

Description

Product Overview

The EC-GDE-PEC2 is a three-compartment photoelectrochemical flow cell designed for gas diffusion electrode research under illumination. Its optical-access geometry directs light toward the catalyst-coated side of the working electrode, addressing the light-blocking limitation of conventional GDE flow cells. The cell is intended for continuous-flow photoelectrochemical testing, including CO₂ reduction and nitrogen reduction studies.

Key Features

• Direct Illumination of the Catalyst-Coated Side: Directs light through a quartz window toward the catalyst-coated side of opaque gas diffusion electrodes.
• Continuous-Flow Photoelectrochemical Testing: Supports gas-fed continuous-flow testing for photoelectrochemical reactions such as CO₂RR and NRR.
• Flexible Gas Diffusion Electrode Integration: Accommodates user-supplied gas diffusion electrodes for evaluating different catalyst and electrode-substrate systems.

Technical Specifications

Chamber structure	Three-chamber
Electrode system	Three-electrode
Active area	4 cm² (20 x 20 mm, customizable)
Working electrode	Sheet-type gas diffusion electrode (customer-supplied)
Reference electrode	Ag/AgCl electrode
Counter electrode	Graphite rod electrode
Optical window material	Quartz
Cell body material	PTFE

Typical Applications

• Gas Diffusion Photoelectrode Studies: Evaluating gas diffusion electrodes with direct illumination of the catalyst-coated side.
• Photoelectrochemical CO₂ Reduction: Investigating light-assisted conversion of gaseous reactants at electrode interfaces.
• Photoelectrochemical Nitrogen Reduction: Investigating N₂-fed NRR systems using gas diffusion photoelectrodes.
• Gas–Liquid–Solid Interface Studies: Examining mass transport and reaction behaviour under controlled gas and electrolyte flow.

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).

Related Published Application

Continuous-Flow Photoelectrochemical CO₂ Reduction: Jung et al. demonstrated CO₂ reduction using an Ag–TiO₂ gas-permeable photocathode in a custom-built continuous-flow PEC reactor. CO₂ was supplied to the non-illuminated side of the photocathode, while light reached the catalyst-coated side through flowing electrolyte and a quartz window. At −0.4 V vs RHE, CO production reached 262.6 μmol cm⁻² h⁻¹—approximately 33.3 times the H-cell rate. In a separate stability test, CO Faradaic efficiency remained 71 ± 8% for approximately 16 h.

Reproduced from Jung, H. et al. Adv. Sci. 2025, 12, 2411348. CC BY 4.0.

Capabilities Relevant to the EC-GDE-PEC2

• Direct illumination of the catalyst-coated side of opaque GDE photocathodes.
• Continuous delivery of reactant gas and flowing electrolyte.
• Investigation of gas–liquid–solid interfaces under controlled flow conditions.

Note: The referenced study used a custom-built PEC-GDE flow reactor with a configuration comparable to the EC-GDE-PEC2. The commercial cell model was not identified, and the study is included solely as a related application example.