EL-CELL ECC-Opto-Gas User Manual
© 2018 EL-CELL GmbH
User Manual
Release 1.02
ECC-Opto-Gas
Electrochemical test cell
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User Manual ECC-Opto-Gas
Release 1.02
The information in this manual has been carefully checked and believed to be accurate;
however, no responsibility is assumed for inaccuracies.
EL-CELL GmbH maintains the right to make changes without further notice to products
described in this manual to improve reliability, function, or design. EL -CELL GmbH does not
assume any liability arising from the use or application of this product.
EL-CELL GmbH
Tempowerkring 8
21079 Hamburg - Germany
phone: +49 40 79012-737
fax: +49 40 79012-736
e-mail: in fo@ el- cel l.c om
web: www.el-cell. com
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User Manual ECC-Opto-Gas
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Content
1 Product description ...................................................................................................................................... 4
2 Features ............................................................................................................................................................ 5
3 Safety precautions......................................................................................................................................... 7
4 Assembly .......................................................................................................................................................... 7
6 Disassembly and Cleaning ........................................................................................................................ 17
7 Unpacking...................................................................................................................................................... 18
8 Technical data .............................................................................................................................................. 20
9 Spare parts .................................................................................................................................................... 21
10 Technical support ...................................................................................................................................... 24
11 Warranty ...................................................................................................................................................... 24
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User Manual ECC-Opto-Gas
Release 1.02
1 Product description
The ECC-Opto-Gas is an in-situ test cell for the optical characterization of gas diffusion
electrodes (GDE) in metal-air batteries. The cell features a sapphire window with a meandershaped flow field, which can be purged with gas during charge/discharge. The ECC-Opto-Gas
can be mounted on the stage of almost any light or Raman microscope in order to “ look”
through the transparent window onto the backside of the GDE. The cell is equipped for use
with aprotic organic electrolytes.
Gas inlet
Gas outlet
Electrode 2
Electrode R
Electrode 1
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User Manual ECC-Opto-Gas
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2 Features
In-situ 2-electrode test cell for the optical characterization of gas diffusion electrodes
(GDE) in aprotic organic electrolytes.
The cell fits below almost any light or Raman microscope working in the reflection mode
The cell stack, with the GDE on top, is placed below a sapphire window with a meander-
shaped flow field. This way, the microscope is “looking” through the window onto the
backside of the GDE.
During charge/ discharge, a gentle stream of gas may be purged along the flow field.
This way the electrochemical conversion taking place at the backside of the gas diffusion
electrode can be observed.
Materials in electrolyte contact are stainless steel 1.4404, PPS and PE.
The disc-shaped GDE has a diameter of 11 mm. The inspection area diameter is 10 mm.
Cell assembly and electrolyte filling may be carried out inside a glove box. Once sealed,
the cell may be operated outside the box at ambient atmosphere.
Small and defined electrolyte volume down to 0.05 cm
3
.
Connection to potentiostat/battery tester via 2 mm banana sockets
Temperature operation range -20 to +70 °C
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User Manual ECC-Opto-Gas
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Working principle of the ECC-Opto-Gas:
Optical window
Gas diffusion electrode
(Electrode1)
Spring loaded
piston
Glass fiber separator
Counter electrode
(Electrode 2)
Etched-in flow field
Electrode 1 contact pin
Electrode 2 contact pin
Gas inlet
Gas outlet
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3 Safety precautions
Use proper safety precautions when using hazardous electrode materials and electrolytes.
Wear protective glasses and gloves to protect you against electrolyte that may accidentally
spill out during filling and disassembly. Upon cell disassembly, dispose al l materials properly.
4 Assembly
The test cell can be used in several different configurations, which mainly differ in the type
and size of the working electrode used, and the way the cell is filled with electrolyte. In the
following, we will use a gas diffusion electrode with 11 mm diameter, and a 12 mm diameter
lithium metal counter electrode.
Assembly:
1. Place the base body on the benchtop and insert the large O-ring seal 34 mm x 2 mm.
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2. Place the sealing foil on top. Make sure the two holes in the sealing foil are aligned with
the two bores (gas inlet and outlet) in the base body.
3. Place the sapphire window on top. Make sure the flow field in the window is aligned
with the gas inlet and outlet in the base body.
4. Attach the cell lid and tighten the three screws using the provided torque screw driver.
Use the same screw driver throughout the assembly.
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