Abstract: Electrolysis cell and method of using the same in hydrogen generation. According to one embodiment, the electrolysis cell includes a frame having an interior. A proton exchange membrane (PEM) is disposed within the frame to divide the interior into two chambers. An anode in the form of a gas diffusion electrode is disposed within the interior of the frame and is spaced apart from the PEM, the space between the anode and the PEM being filled with an aqueous sulfuric acid. A cathode is disposed within the interior of the frame and is ionically coupled to the PEM. In use, gaseous sulfur dioxide is delivered to the side of the anode facing away from the sulfuric acid solution, and a current is supplied to the electrolysis cell. Consequently, sulfur dioxide is oxidized at the anode, and molecular hydrogen is generated at the cathode.

Abstract: A fixed anode structure having at least one broad plate face utilized in electrodepositing a coating on a moving cathode has a segmented plate anode. The plate anode can have a broad face that is generally flat or curvilinear in relation to the shape of the cathode, e.g., in concentric relationship with a curvilinear cathode. The segmented anode has broad plate faces that come together to provide edges that are bias cut in relation to the path of travel of a cathode moving in relation to the anode.

Abstract: In the electroplating of certain metals, such as zinc, a metal build-up in the electroplating bath occurs due to a higher anode efficiency than cathode efficiency, in the cell, and also due to chemical dissolution of the anode in the electroplating bath. An electrowinning cell is provided to remove metal from the electroplating bath. The electrowinning cell is operated with a current sufficient to remove metal from the bath substantially equal to that chemically dissolved into the bath as well as the build-up due to the difference in the anodic and cathodic efficiencies.

Abstract: A method for providing an electroless plate, particularly a discontinuous plate for uses such as for electrolytic cell cathodes. A nickel substrate is interdiffused with a second metal which, when leached out leaves a hydrogen adsorbing surface upon the substrate. The substrate is then contacted with a dilute, at least 20 ppm, solution of the plating metal, preferably with the plating metal in anionic complex in the solution. Following immersion, the resulting plated substrate is passed through a reducing flame.

Abstract: A process for producing high dispersion metal crystallites dispersed substantially homogeneously in a carbonaceous material matrix is disclosed. The novel metal crystallite dispersions disclosed herein have the added advantage of being locked into the matrix thereby preventing migration of the metal crystallites.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to preparing deashed, precious metal catalyst-containing, partially fluorinated active carbon particles of the formula CF.sub.x, where x ranges from 0.l to about 0.18, preferably using either platinum or silver as the catalyzing material, which can be incorporated into an active layer component of a gas electrode, e.g., an oxygen (air) cathode suitable for use in a chlor-alkali electrolytic cell for producing chlorine and caustic while conserving electrical energy. These particles are deashed to have a B.E.T. surface area of at least 600 m.sup.2 /g and contain less than about 4 weight percent ash. Active electrode layers containing such particles demonstrate an unusually desirable combination of resistance to corrosion, retention of conductive properties and retention of catalytic surface area.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to the preparation of cohesive, self-sustaining electrode backing layers by a method comprising mixing from about 20 to about 50 weight parts of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) having a particle size ranging from 0.05 to 0.5 micron with from about 50 to about 80 weight parts of a partially fluorinated carbon black of the formula CF.sub.x, where x is from about 0.1 to about 0.18 and having particles of a size ranging from about 50 to about 3000 angstroms to produce an electrode backing layer having a combination of enhanced electrical conductivity and hydrophobicity.

Abstract: An air/oxygen electrode substrate for use as a cathode in alkali metal halide electrolysis processes is formed by compressing a prefused mixture of carbon black and a hydrophobic polymer such as polytetrafluoroethylene under high pressures and at a temperature in excess of the sintering temperature of the polymer and below its decomposition temperature. Optionally, the electrode may be formed having a core comprised of a metal mesh which acts to better distribute the applied voltage and to reinforce the electrode. Further, a sheet of hydrophobic backing material such as TEFLON fabric may be incorporated into the compressed mixture to increase the hydrophobic properties of the cathode. Electrocatalysts may then be deposited on the surface of the electrode substrate to produce an oxygen electrode having significant voltage advantage over mild steel cathodes in alkali-halide electrolysis cells.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to preparing deashed, precious metal catalyst-containing, partially fluorinated active carbon particles of the formula CF.sub.x, where x ranges from 0.1 to about 0.18, preferably using either platinum or silver as the catalyzing material, which can be incorporated into an active layer component of a gas electrode, e.g., an oxygen (air) cathode suitable for use in a chlor-alkali electrolytic cell for producing chlorine and caustic while conserving electrical energy. These particles are deashed to have a B.E.T. surface area of at least 600 m.sup.2 /g and contain less than about 4 weight percent ash. Active electrode layers containing such particles demonstrate an unusually desirable combination of resistance to corrosion, retention of conductive properties and retention of catalytic surface area.

Abstract: An air/oxygen electrode substrate for use as a cathode in alkali metal halide electrolysis processes is formed by compressing a prefused mixture of carbon black and a hydrophobic polymer such as polytetrafluoroethylene under high pressures and at a temperature in excess of the sintering temperature of the polymer and below its decomposition temperature. Optionally, the electrode may be formed having a core comprised of a metal mesh which acts to better distribute the applied voltage and to reinforce the electrode. Further, a sheet of hydrophobic backing material such as TEFLON fabric may be incorporated into the compressed mixture to increase the hydrophobic properties of the cathode. Electrocatalysts may then be deposited on the surface of the electrode substrate to produce an oxygen electrode having a significant voltage advantage over mild steel cathodes in alkali-halide electrolysis cells.