Abstract: A method of preparing a gas diffusion electrode comprising a diffusion layer, and a reaction layer arranged to each other, wherein the diffusion layer is prepared by i) admixing a) sacrificial material, b) polymer and c) a metal-based material and d) optional further components, wherein the sacrificial material has a release temperature below about 275° C. and is added in an amount from about 1 to about 25 wt % based on the total weight of components a)-d) admixed; ii) forming a diffusion layer from the admixture of step i); iii) heating the forming diffusion layer to a temperature lower than about 275° C. so as to release at least a part of said sacrificial material from the diffusion layer. A gas diffusion electrode comprising a diffusion layer and a reaction layer arranged to one another, wherein the diffusion layer has a porosity ranging from about 60 to about 95%, and an electrolytic cell comprising the electrode.

Abstract: A molten salt electrolysis apparatus and a molten metal electrolyzing method using such a device are disclosed having an electrolysis vessel (4) accommodating melt electrolyte including melt metal chloride, and an electrode unit (1) having electrically conductive electrodes (8), first insulation members (9) covering upper end surfaces of the electrodes and fixed thereto while extending upward from the upper end surfaces, second insulation members (10) covering lower end surfaces of the electrodes and fixed thereto while extending downward from the lower end surfaces, and an electrode frame (12) composed of an insulating body surrounding the electrodes, the electrode unit being immersed in the melt electrolyte.

Abstract: A method of preparing a gas diffusion electrode comprising a diffusion layer, and a reaction layer arranged to each other, wherein the diffusion layer is prepared by i) admixing a) sacrificial material, b) polymer and c) a metal-based material and d) optional further components, wherein the sacrificial material has a release temperature below about 275° C. and is added in an amount from about 1 to about 25 wt % based on the total weight of components a)-d) admixed; ii) forming a diffusion layer from the admixture of step i); iii) heating the forming diffusion layer to a temperature lower than about 275° C. so as to release at least a part of said sacrificial material from the diffusion layer. A gas diffusion electrode comprising a diffusion layer and a reaction layer arranged to one another, wherein the diffusion layer has a porosity ranging from about 60 to about 95%, and an electrolytic cell comprising the electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of treating contaminated water containing microorganisms comprising feeding a contaminated water stream at a volumetric flow of about 1 to about 1000 m3/h through an electrolyser zone, said water stream having a conductivity from about 0.0001 to about 100 S/m, electrolysing said water stream in said electrolyser zone defined by at least one electrode pair enabling treatment of microorganisms, said at least one electrode pair comprising an anode and a cathode without separator means, said water stream being guided substantially perpendicularly through said at least one anode and cathode while imposing a voltage across said anode and cathode and supplying a direct current to said anode and cathode, withdrawing from the electrolyser zone a treated water stream. The invention also relates to an electrolytic cell in which said process can be performed, and to the use of the electrolytic cell.

Abstract: A molten salt electrolysis apparatus and a molten metal electrolyzing method using such a device are disclosed having an electrolysis vessel (4) accommodating melt electrolyte including melt metal chloride, and an electrode unit (1) having electrically conductive electrodes (8), first insulation members (9) covering upper end surfaces of the electrodes and fixed thereto while extending upward from the upper end surfaces, second insulation members (10) covering lower end surfaces of the electrodes and fixed thereto while extending downward from the lower end surfaces, and an electrode frame (12) composed of an insulating body surrounding the electrodes, the electrode unit being immersed in the melt electrolyte.

Abstract: In a bipolar plate for a fuel cell including a metal substrate and a metallic coating formed on at least part of a surface of the metal substrate, the durability or the resilience is elevated by suitably selecting a material or a shape of the metal substrate and/or the metallic coating. The material of the metal substrate includes one or more of metals or metal alloys selected from a group consisting of iron, nickel, alloys thereof and stainless steel; and the metallic coating includes a combination of conductive platinum-group metal oxides. The metal substrate may be a thermally oxidized substrate, and the metallic coating may be a conductive oxide. Further, the metallic coating may be a metallic porous element or a metallic porous element having a passivity prevention layer on the surface thereof.

Abstract: When high purity silicon is produced through a gas-phase reaction between silicon tetra-chloride and zinc in a reaction furnace, the produce silicon is obtained as block or molten state. after the reaction in which the silicon is not in contact with air and reaction temperature is maintained at melting point of the silicon or less.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing an electrode comprising providing an electrode substrate, depositing on said electrode substrate a first substantially aqueous coating solution comprising precursors of a valve metal oxide and of at least two platinum group metal oxides, treating the first coating solution to provide a first metal oxide coating layer on the electrode substrate, depositing on said first coating layer a second substantially organic coating solution comprising precursors of a valve metal oxide and at least one platinum group metal oxide, wherein at least one of the precursors is in organic form, treating said second coating solution to provide a second metal oxide coating layer on the first coating layer. The invention also relates to an electrode obtainable by said method, and the use thereof.

Abstract: When high purity silicon is produced through a gas-phase reaction between silicon tetra-chloride and zinc in a reaction furnace, the produce silicon is obtained as block or molten state. after the reaction in which the silicon is not in contact with air and reaction temperature is maintained at melting point of the silicon or less.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing an electrode comprising depositing on an electrode substrate a binder dispersion comprising a precursor of a conductive or semiconductive oxide, forming a conductive or semiconductive oxide coating from the precursor on the electrode substrate, depositing an electroconductive titanium oxide and electrode particles on the conductive or semiconductive oxide coating, adhering the electroconductive titanium oxide and the electrode particles to the formed conductive or semiconductive oxide coating. The invention also relates to an electrode obtainable by the process, and the use thereof in an electrolytic cell.

Abstract: When high purity silicon is produced through a gas-phase reaction between silicon tetra-chloride and zinc in a reaction furnace, the produce silicon is obtained as block or molten state. after the reaction in which the silicon is not in contact with air and reaction temperature is maintained at melting point of the silicon or less.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrolytic cell, and a method for manufacturing such cell. The cell comprises an anode and a cathode compartment, a separator partitioning the compartments, gas diffusion electrode members arranged to the separator with a space between adjacent electrode members in the vertical direction, and current collector members electrically connected to the electrode members. The current collector members comprise resilient means arranged to homogenise the contact between the electrode members, the current collector and the separator. The invention also relates to the use of the electrolytic cell for production of e.g. alkali metal hydroxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of treating contaminated water containing microorganisms comprising feeding a contaminated water stream at a volumetric flow of about 1 to about 1000 m3/h through an electrolyser zone, said water stream having a conductivity from about 0.0001 to about 100 S/m, electrolysing said water stream in said electrolyser zone defined by at least one electrode pair enabling treatment of microorganisms, said at least one electrode pair comprising an anode and a cathode without separator means, said water stream being guided substantially perpendicularly through said at least one anode and cathode while imposing a voltage across said anode and cathode and supplying a direct current to said anode and cathode, withdrawing from the electrolyser zone a treated water stream. The invention also relates to an electrolytic cell in which said process can be performed, and to the use of the electrolytic cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing an electrode comprising providing an electrode substrate, depositing on said electrode substrate a first substantially aqueous coating solution comprising precursors of a valve metal oxide and of at least two platinum group metal oxides, treating the first coating solution to provide a first metal oxide coating layer on the electrode substrate, depositing on said first coating layer a second substantially organic coating solution comprising precursors of a valve metal oxide and at least one platinum group metal oxide, wherein at least one of the precursors is in organic form, treating said second coating solution to provide a second metal oxide coating layer on the first coating layer. The invention also relates to an electrode obtainable by said method, and the use thereof.

Abstract: An electrode-membrane assembly comprising a pair of electrodes at least one of which is porous, and a thermoplastic resin membrane having a functional group capable of being modified to a free ion exchange group upon hydrolysis, which is interposed between the two electrodes and partly penetrates into the pores of the electrode. In this arrangement, the ion exchange membrane can be mechanically integrated to the anode and cathode to compensate for the insufficiency of mechanical strength of the ion exchange membrane. Thus, an electrode-membrane assembly which can be used in an industrial electrolytic cell or fuel cell is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing an electrode comprising depositing on an electrode substrate a binder dispersion comprising a precursor of a conductive or semiconductive oxide, forming a conductive or semiconductive oxide coating from the precursor on the electrode substrate, depositing an electroconductive titanium oxide and electrode particles on the conductive or semiconductive oxide coating, adhering the electroconductive titanium oxide and the electrode particles to the formed conductive or semiconductive oxide coating. The invention also relates to an electrode obtainable by the process, and the use thereof in an electrolytic cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reaction vessel used for oxidizing and decomposing equipment suitable for processing with supercritical water, and methods of manufacturing the reaction vessel. The reaction vessel comprises an oxide film containing a platinum group metal oxide for example having a fine crystalline structure, and a high corrosion resistance in both oxidizing and reducing atmosphere. The film is formed on a surface of the vessel by performing a pyrolysis reaction in an atmosphere containing water vapor. The oxide film is comprised of at least one platinum group metal oxide selected from Ir, Ru or Rh oxide, and at least one oxide of a metal selected from Ti and Ta.

Abstract: In a bipolar plate for a fuel cell including a metal substrate and a metallic coating formed on at least part of a surface of the metal substrate, the durability or the resilience is elevated by suitably selecting a material or a shape of the metal substrate and/or the metallic coating. The material of the metal substrate includes one or more of metals or metal alloys selected from a group consisting of iron, nickel, alloys thereof and stainless steel; and the metallic coating includes a combination of conductive platinum-group metal oxides. The metal substrate may be a thermally oxidized substrate, and the metallic coating may be a conductive oxide. Further, the metallic coating may be a metallic porous element or a metallic porous element having a passivity prevention layer on the surface thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a conductive electrode comprising applying a precursor for electrocatalytic or protective coatings on a conductive electrode substrate, irradiating the conductive electrode substrate and the precursor with near infrared (NIR) radiation to form an electrocatalytic or protective coating on the electrode substrate. The invention also relates to an electrode substrate or electrode obtainable by the method, and the use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a retrofitted electrolytic cell and a method for retrofitting an electrolytic cell comprising an anode and a cathode compartment, a separator partitioning the compartments, said cathode compartment comprising a hydrogen evolving cathode. The method comprises making at least one substantially horizontal slit in the hydrogen evolving cathode resulting in plural cathode members, bending the edge of at least one cathode member at the slit away from the separator, arranging a gas diffusion electrode to the cathode members on the side facing the separator, and arranging an electrolyte layer to the gas diffusion electrode. The invention also relates to the use of a retrofitted electrolytic cell.