Abstract: An electrode (110) for an electrochemical cell, comprising a conductive, porous, hydrophilic, gas-permeable and a liquid-permeable liquid-side layer (111) having a liquid-facing side (116), and a non-conductive, porous, hydrophobic, gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable gas-side layer (112) having a gas-facing side (117). Gas-producing electrochemical reactions are promoted at an interface (115) between the liquid-side layer (111) and the gas-side layer (112) by a beneficial relationship of capillary pressures of the electrode layers. The liquid-side layer (111) exhibits a repulsive capillary pressure in the liquid electrolyte (113) of the cell (110) and the gas-side layer exhibits an attractive capillary pressure in the liquid electrolyte (113).

Abstract: Electrochemical cells (e.g., fuel cells or electrochemical gas extraction cells) supplied with power-to-gas mixtures of dilute hydrogen concentrations may be remarkably improved by the use of porous gas layer electrodes. The electrochemical cells may comprise a first porous gas layer gas diffusion electrode, a second porous gas layer gas diffusion electrode, and a liquid electrolyte Sin contact with the first and second electrodes. The porous gas layers may each comprise a porous, non-conductive, liquid-impermeable material that dramatically improves cell performance.

Abstract: Disclosed are electrochemical cells and methods of use or operation. In one aspect there is disclosed a method for management of an electrochemical cell, the method comprising operating the electrochemical cell at an operational voltage that is below or about the thermoneutral voltage for an electrochemical reaction. In another aspect there is disclosed an electrochemical cell comprising electrodes, an electrolyte between the electrodes, and a catalyst applied to at least one of the electrodes to facilitate an electrochemical reaction at an operational voltage of the electrochemical cell that is below or about the thermoneutral voltage for the electrochemical reaction. Also disclosed are various catalysts for the electrochemical cell comprising mixtures of various catalytic materials and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).