Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for preparing a reaction layer of a gas permeable electrode which comprises mixing carbon powder and a hydrophobic binding agent, hot-pressing the mixture and cooling the mixture under the hot-pressing conditions or immediately after the hot-pressing. The reaction layer prepared according to the present invention possesses connected electrolyte passages and gas passages so that all the electrolyte penetrates the electrolyte passages and all the gas penetrates the gas passages, whereby excellent contact efficiency is obtained so as to achieve improved catalyst performance.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for preparing a raw material dispersion and raw material powders for producing reaction layers of a gas permeable electrode. The raw materials are prepared in one aspect of the invention by mixing fine particles containing a surface-active agent, freezing the mixture to a temperature the surface-active agent loses at least part of its function and then thawing out the same. The resulting material exhibits superior catalytic performance because the particles are dispersed uniformly by lack of the function of surfaceactive agent at the time of freezing.The raw materials are prepared in another aspect of the invention by mixing hydrophilic minute particles coated with ion exchange resin, PTFE and hydrophobic fine powders.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a gas permeable electrode which comprises a gas permeable layer and a reaction layer, the reaction layer comprising hydrophobic portions and hydrophilic portions. Electrolyte penetrates into the reaction layer and does not penetrate into the gas permeable layer, and only the gas produced on the electrode and the gas supplied penetrate into the gas permeable layer. The gas can be released from the rear side of the electrode and the reaction surface thereof is never covered with the gas.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for preparing a raw material dispersion and raw material powders for producing reaction layers of a gas permeable electrode. The raw materials are prepared in one aspect of the invention by mixing fine particles containing a surface-active agent, freezing the mixture to a temperature at which the surface-active agent loses at least part of its function and then thawing out the same. The resulting material exhibits superior catalytic performance because the particles are dispersed uniformly by the lack of function of the surface-active agent at the time of freezing.The raw materials are prepared in another aspect of the invention by mixing hydrophilic minute particles coated with an ion exchange resin, PTFE and hydrophobic fine powders.

Abstract: A method for producing a highly dispersed catalyst comprising mixing a cross linking agent with a polymer in a solvent to cross-link the polymer, applying the cross-linked mixed liquid to a carrier, drying the carrier to remove the solvent and to form a polymer film over the surface of the carrier, impregnating the polymer film with a metallic complex compound solution to connect the complex compound to a reactive functional group of the polymer film, and reducing the complex compound of the polymer film, thereby obtaining the highly dispersed catalyst having superior catalytic properties and superior catalytic efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and an apparatus for electrolyzing zinc.The method comprises vertically disposing a rotatable disk made of an electrically conductive metal functioning as a cathode at least of which an outer periphery has an insulation covering; immersing the lower portion of the disk into an electrolyte; disposing a circular arc shaped gas permeable electrode functioning as an anode to be closely opposed to the lower portion of the expressed portion of the both sides of the rotatable disk in the electrolyte; operating the electrolysis with the supply of hydrogen; and peeling off the zinc foil deposited onto the exposed portion of the both sides of the rotatable disk with rotation of the disk. This method can be modified by replacing the rotatable disk with a rotatable drum.

Abstract: An electrode device for an electromagnetic fluid flow apparatus, comprising a pair of electrodes which face a pathway of an electrical conductive fluid, and a magnet which faces the pathway and effects a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the electrical conductive fluid and to a straight line connecting the two electrodes. Each electrode is made of a hydrophobic carrier with pores of at most 1 .mu.m pore size, the hydrophobic porous carrier having electrical conductivity, gas permeability and liquid impermeability. A gas generated from the electrode may be discharged from the rear surface of the electrode to the outside without releasing from the surface of the electrode into the electrical conductive fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a halogen cell of which a positive electrode and/or a negative electrode is a gas permeable electrode. The gas permeable electrode preferably comprises a hydrophilic layer and a gas permeable layer. Since, in this halogen cell, the decrease of the electrode surface area can be prevented, and the desired gas can be rapidly supplied to the electrode, the quantity of charge is increased and the charging time is reduced.Also disclosed herein is a halogen cell of which a positive electrode and/or negative electrode comprises finely divided hydrophilic portions and hydrophobic portions. In this halogen cell, the quantity of charge and the charging time are also improved.